Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Monday that the country had almost completed bailout talks with international lenders."The acting president further explained that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were nearing conclusion, and discussions for assistance with foreign countries were also progressing," Wickremesinghe's office said in a statement.Late Sunday, Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency as Sri Lanka continues to face a deep economic crisis.The move aims to calm unrest ahead of a vote in parliament later this week to elect a new president.Sri Lanka is seeking a financial rescue plan from the IMF and other organizations.But top officials say the country’s finances are so poor that even getting a bailout has been difficult.There has been no comment from the IMF on Wickremesinghe’s statement.The acting president said that aid was being provided to people and steps taken to ease shortages of fuel and cooking gas.However, he said “elements within society” were causing unrest.He said disorder will not be permitted to harm the country’s progress.
