They are not allowed to leave the country until August 11
Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has told broadcaster CNN that Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government was "covering up facts", while adding that he aimed to stabilize the island nation's devastated economy by the end of 2023.
"By the end of next year let's start stabilizing, and certainly by 2024 let's have a functioning economy which will start growing," Wickremesinghe told CNN in an interview.
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They are not allowed to leave the country until August 11
He also called on lawmakers to come together to form an all-party government
This comes as many Sri Lankans make desperate bids to flee the crisis-ridden island
Wickremesinghe highlighted that the unrest had delayed a possible deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
This year marks the 65th anniversary since the establishment of a diplomatic relationship between the two nations
Former president fled from the country on July 13
Wickremesinghe is expected to expand 18-member cabinet to accommodate members from opposition
President Wickremesinghe had initially aimed to reach a deal by early August