Economic slowdown forced Sri Lankans to seek livelihood abroad

Colombo: The number of Sri Lankans seeking to obtain a passport and leave the country has doubled since last year, government data shows, as many say they travel abroad amid the worst economic turmoil in decades. I want to find work.

For months, Sri Lanka has been short of foreign exchange to buy everything it needs from abroad. Last month the country of 22 million people defaulted on multimillion-dollar foreign debt payments, deepening its worst crisis since gaining independence in 1948.