UN Experts: Sri Lanka Faces Unprecedented Economic, Political Crisis

A group of United Nations human rights experts have appealed to the international community to provide greater support to Sri Lanka as the country grapples with an economic crisis and political turmoil.

Experts have expressed concern about high inflation, soaring commodity prices, energy shortages, a crippling fuel crisis, and economic collapse in Sri Lanka, as the country grapples with unprecedented political turmoil.

"Sri Lanka's economic meltdown needs immediate global attention, not only from humanitarian agencies but from international financial institutions, from the private sector and other countries that should come to the aid of the country," the experts said.

Lawmakers on Wednesday elected Sri Lanka's new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had held the post six times after former leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned last week as protesters stormed key government buildings in the capital, Colombo.