Reuters - Sri Lanka's central bank on Thursday said the country had not sought any "restructuring" assistance for its debt, amid a worsening economic crisis which has seen essential imports stalled due to a lack of foreign exchange.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Cabraal wrote on Twitter that talks with financiers and bankers had only covered offers of new financing, after a media report had said that officials met with "restructuring" bankers.

Sri Lanka’s reserves dipped to $2.36 billion at the end of January, down from $7.5 billion in early 2020. But the island has about $4 billion of debt to repay or roll over this year, including a $1 billion international sovereign bond maturing in July.

Its severe shortage of foreign exchange has resulted in delays of essential imports including fuel, medicines and some food items.

In recent days, Sri Lankans have had to deal with long lines at fuel stations and widespread power cuts, which are scheduled to last for more than five hours on Friday.

Already struggling to pay for fuel imports, Sri Lanka will be further hit by rising oil prices, which have broken above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014 after Russia invaded Ukraine.