A tax increase triggers widespread strikes

Sri Lanka faces widespread work stoppages due to a government order banning industrial action, despite a ban on strikes introduced by President Ranil Wickremesinghe last month. Trade unions are protesting a sharp rise in taxes, while the island nation grapples with an economic crisis. The duration of the strikes will depend on the government's response to tax protests, as well as surging electricity costs. Sri Lanka is seeking economic assistance after defaulting on $46 billion of foreign government debt in April last year. China has agreed to restructure its loan debt, a factor that was a crucial step in potentially securing IMF assistance. Colombo has been gripped by an economic crisis since late 2021, with shortages of food, fuel and medicines.