evidence: Sri Lanka's economic crisis was further accelerated by global impacts including the global recession caused by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the food and energy shortage and price hike following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. An unsuccessful move to prohibit the use of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides also contributed to a major decline in the yields of Sri Lanka's rice and tea industries, which are, respectively, a staple food and major international export.[50][51][52] The drop in tea production from the fertilizer ban alone resulted in economic losses of around $425 million. The ban also contributed to a 20% drop in rice production within the first six months. As a result, Sri Lanka went from being self-sufficient in rice production to having to import rice at a cost of US$450 million.[53] [...] - ^ a b "Sri Lanka economic crisis: The all-powerful Rajapaksas under fire". Al Jazeera. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022. [...] - ^ "Sri Lanka Economic Crisis News LIVE Updates: Troops, military vehicles deployed in streets; fears rise over army takeover". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 May 2022.