No paper in Sri Lanka: millions of exams cancelled

Education authorities in Sri Lanka have postponed the exams of some 3 million students because there is no money left to buy paper. "We have no paper for the printers and can not afford the necessary paper, but also the ink," said the Ministry of Education.

The exams would start next Monday and last a week. An estimated two-thirds of the 4.5 million high school students in the South Asian country are now unable to take tests. It is not clear if and when these will take place.

rations
Sri Lanka is facing the worst financial crisis since independence in 1948. The lack of income from tourism, due to the corona crisis and terrorist attacks, has hit the economy hard and poverty is high.

There is a shortage of food, fuel and medicines. Milk powder, rice and sugar are only rationed and due to high fuel prices, power supplies across the country are shut off for more than seven hours a day .

Last week, Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa asked the International Monetary Fund for help in solving the financial problems. The IMF has pledged to "consider" a rescue plan.