Story

11:30 PM le mars 6

I wouldn't have even needed an IMF bailout

The

I think that Raja Hetti is aware of Christine Lagarde

When he was here, with Aloka, and my mom's sister Anoja

I was telling him, "ask Larry Summers" — I had mentioned meeting him and suggested they might consider him for an IMF leadership role next

I laughed

***

I don't have much confidence in the IMF; I think Sri Lanka (SL) is facing serious economic challenges

Part of the difficulty is limited income-generating capacity, and some argue that widespread access to state-provided services like healthcare and education can affect incentives for work

There is a perception that many expect substantial public support, both in practical and symbolic ways

Religious teachings are sometimes interpreted to encourage restraint, and critics suggest this can be framed as moral posturing; others argue that moral leadership can attract external assistance to help the country develop

I think Pakistan has faced similar economic challenges and has relied on IMF support multiple times

I am skeptical about Sri Lanka's prospects under Anura's leadership

They have reportedly gone from $50 billion in debt under Mahinda to about $85 or $90 billion debt with Gota and Anura

People may feel relatively stable right now, but there is concern that future debt repayments could create problems

This could lead to a more serious crisis down the line

Under Gota, debt was about 50 - 75% of GDP; it is now reported to be in excess of 80 - 90% of the country's economy

***

If trade restrictions or tariffs are imposed, the economic impact could be severe and might produce political instability, increasing the risk of an authoritarian shift in governance

The image is a cartoon illustration featuring two characters in a stylized, humorous manner.

**Character Descriptions:**
1. **Left Character:**
- The character on the left has a medium build and is depicted with a slightly disheveled appearance. He has short, dark hair and a beard.
- He is wearing a bright red shirt with two front pockets and black pants. His shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, and he appears to be in a state of distress or agitation, with one hand on his forehead and the other raised as if in a gesture of surprise or frustration.
- His facial expression conveys a sense of alarm or worry, with wide eyes and a frown.

2. **Right Character:**
- The character on the right is taller and has a more relaxed posture. He is wearing a gray jacket over a white shirt, with the word "PETER BREWER" printed on it.
- He also wears a wide-brimmed hat with the letters "IMF" on it, suggesting a connection to the International Monetary Fund.
- His pants are black with white stripes down the sides, and he has a distinctive hand gesture, with one hand raised to his forehead as if shielding his eyes or expressing a carefree attitude.
- His expression appears confident or smug, contrasting with the left character's distress.

**Background and Setting:**
- The background is a simple gradient, transitioning from light blue at the top to a pale yellow at the bottom, giving the impression of an outdoor setting without specific details that indicate a particular location.
- There are subtle lines suggesting movement or agitation around the left character, enhancing the sense of his frantic state.

**Text and Labels:**
- The right character's shirt prominently features the name "PETER BREWER," while the hat displays "IMF."
- No additional text, signs, or logos are visible in the image.

Overall, the cartoon employs exaggerated features and expressions to convey a humorous interaction between the two characters, with a focus on their contrasting emotional states.