Sri Lanka has applied to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to alleviate supply chain issues, an aide to the finance minister said in a tweet. However, the IMF believes that Sri Lanka does not meet its criteria, Shamir Zavahir said, adding that the IMF appears to be in favor of granting an Extended Financing Facility (EFF).

Meanwhile, Cabinet appointments by Rajapaksa follow weeks of protests over fuel and food shortages and demands that Rajapaksa, his politically powerful family and his government resign. Much of the public anger has been directed at Rajapaksa and his older brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. They lead an influential clan that has held power for most of the past two decades. Thousands of protesters occupied the entrance to the president’s office for a 10th day on Monday.

Separately, Sri Lankans protesting for days near the president’s office have criticized the lack of progress in finding those responsible for the deaths of more than 260 people in the Islamic State-inspired bombings on Sunday. Easter three years ago. Protesters demanded the government find out what they called the real conspirators behind attacks on three churches – two Catholic and one Protestant – which included simultaneous suicide bombings during Easter celebrations on April 21, 2019.