Sri Lanka hopes for $4bn in China aid 'soon' as envoy defends ties

Ambassador insists Beijing is supportive; new president extends protest clampdown

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A man pushes an out-of-gas autorickshaw in Colombo on July 27: Sri Lanka is looking to China and others to ease the economic crisis that has resulted in dire shortages of fuel and other essentials. © AP

MUNZA MUSHTAQ, Contributing writer

COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka hopes to conclude discussions with China "soon" on a $4 billion aid package, the bankrupt South Asian country's ambassador to Beijing told Nikkei Asia.

Ambassador Palitha Kohona said in an email that talks were progressing. "We hope that these discussions could be concluded soon, as a positive outcome would definitely assist Sri Lanka to reestablish confidence in the financial markets and recover from its unprecedented and dire financial circumstances."

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