Sri Lanka is running out of gasoline.

As the country suffers its greatest economic crisis in more than 70 years, Sri Lanka‘s new prime minister claims the country is down to its last day of petrol.

Ranil Wickremesinghe said the country needed $75 million (£60.8 million) in foreign currency in the next few days to pay for crucial imports in a televised address.

To pay government salaries, he claims the central bank will have to print money.

Sri Lankan Airlines, which is owned by the government, may be privatized, according to Mr Wickremesinghe.

The pandemic, soaring energy prices, and populist tax cuts have all wreaked havoc on the island nation’s economy. A significant money shortage and rising inflation have resulted in a serious economic crisis.

Medicines, fuel, and other essentials were in low supply due to a chronic shortage of foreign cash and rising inflation.

Auto rickshaws, the city’s most popular mode of transportation, and other vehicles have been queuing at gas stations in Colombo.

“We only have enough petrol for one day at the present. The next few months will be the most challenging of our lives “Mr Wickremesinghe, who took office as Prime Minister on Thursday, stated.

He noted that shipments of petrol and diesel using an Indian credit line could provide fuel supplies in the coming days. Mr Wickremesinghe stated that the country’s central bank will have to print money to assist the government in meeting its salary bill and other obligations.