How much does Sri Lanka owe China? Question looms over new president

Broad measure puts Beijing's share at 20% of national total, above official data

New Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken office in the midst of a deep economic crisis. © Reuters

TORU TAKAHASHI, Nikkei senior staff writer

July 22, 2022 06:10 JST

TOKYO -- Newly appointed Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe needs to negotiate a financial lifeline from the International Monetary Fund to combat the nation's worst economic crisis since it achieved independence in 1948, but dealing with opaque major creditor China poses a difficult challenge.