Sri Lanka's debt crisis forced it to the brink of bankruptcy. The country's debt level is as high as 90% of gross domestic product (GDP), half of which is held by foreign borrowers. As the global epidemic has frustrated tourism and export income, Sri Lanka's foreign exchange reserves are also rapidly decreasing, making it impossible for the country to repay its foreign debts.

Recently, Sri Lanka turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help, hoping to get an emergency loan of $2 billion. The government has also taken some austerity measures, including cutting budget expenditure and canceling some projects. However, these measures may further aggravate the economic recession and have an impact on poverty and inequality.

The Sri Lankan authorities are faced with a difficult decision, that is, how to maintain debt while ensuring sustainable economic development. This requires the government to implement structural reforms to increase economic growth and attract foreign investment, and to increase income and narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.