Sri Lanka to allow Chinese research vessel make port call
COLOMBO – A Chinese research ship seeking to dock in Sri Lanka will be granted access in according with the country’s non-aligned stance. Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said on Thursday (Aug 31) that the defence ministry and the foreign ministry had both clarified that under Sri Lanka’s non-alignment principles, pertaining to oceanic matters, authorities won’t take any action that can be perceived as threatening towards any nation or institute
“Sri Lanka is committed to maintaining friendly economic, social, political and cultural ties with all neighbouring countries in the region,” he said, overlooking India’s concerns about the proposed visit, and the security concerns raised following a visit by a spacecraft-tracking vessel last year
The vessel, identified as Shi Yan 6, and described as a “scientific research vessel” crewed by 60 that carries out oceanography, marine geology and marine ecology tests, is set to conduct joint reserve with Sri Lanka’s National Aquatic Research Agency.
India is suspicious of China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence in Sri Lanka, seeing both as firmly within its sphere of influence. However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured in an interview with French television in June this year Sri Lanka will not allow the country to be used by third parties to undermine India’s security.
Sri Lanka is strategically placed halfway along key east-west international shipping routes.
Last year, Colombo attempted to address New Delhi’s concerns by asking China not to engage in any research activities while in Sri Lankan waters.
China last year said it was “completely unjustified for certain countries” to cite “security concerns” to pressure Sri Lanka.
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