Is abuzz with activity and businesses. in the country, the shortages have eased, the fuel cues have disappeared, and ban on nonessential imports, like that of machines, auto parts, even electronics have all been lifted, giving a boost to the import driven economy of sri lanka. but my conversations with people here reveal that, underneath their sense of normalcy, there lies an undercurrent of instability and worry. prices of everyday goods has continued to soar. this, coupled with lower incomes and higher taxes, coupled with lower incomes and highertaxes, has coupled with lower incomes and higher taxes, has cost caused living standards drop. for small businesses, higher import costs are eating into profits. last year, this man was on the verge of closing down his restaurant. a year later, he is still struggling. most of the skilled labourer has left most of the skilled labourer has left the country. during the crisis
Was 8.7% in may almost three times where it is in the us. the soaring cost of living has sparked a wave of strikes across the economy with junior doctors beginning a five day walkout today. the bbc understands the government could announce a decision as soon as today on pay rises for public sector workers including teachers, junior doctors and police officers. independent pay review bodies have recommended raises of up to 6.5%. but that would come at a cost of £5 billion which could mean cuts elsewhere. and some economists fear big pay rises will only fuel inflation further. the chancellor has been adamant they will not borrow more money, they do not want to take on more debt at a higher cost in terms of interest rates in order to pay for these public sector pay increases. some economists via big pay rises will only fuel inflation further. on wednesday the bank