Sri Lanka defaults on debt for first time

Sri Lanka has defaulted on its debt for the first time in its history as the country struggles with its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years, BBC reported. It comes after a 30-day grace period to come up with $78m of unpaid debt interest payments expired on Wednesday. The governor of the South Asian nation's central bank said the country was now in a "pre-emptive default".

Later on Thursday, two of the world's biggest credit rating agencies also said Sri Lanka had defaulted.

Defaults happen when governments are unable to meet some or all of their debt payments to creditors, BBC reported.

It can damage a country's reputation with investors, making it harder to borrow the money it needs on international markets, which can further harm confidence in its currency and economy.

Asked on Thursday whether the country was now in default, central bank governor P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said: "Our position is very clear, we said that until they come to the restructure (of our debts), we will not be able to pay. So that's what you call pre-emptive default. (IANS)

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