Colombo: Even as media reports claimed that Sri Lanka has asked China to defer the visit of a high-tech Chinese research ship into its waters, a senior Sri Lankan minister said that the vessel expected to dock at Hambantota port next week is only seeking “refuelling and replenishment” facilities and Colombo will not do anything to harm the good understanding and trust existing with New Delhi.
In the wake of India’s concerns over the possibility of the ship’s tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port, the foreign ministry in a written request on Saturday, August 6, told the Chinese embassy in Colombo not to go ahead with the visit, an AFP report quoted an official involved in the process as saying.
“The ministry wishes to request that the arrival date of the vessel Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota to be deferred until further consultations are made on this matter,” the request said, according to AFP.
On the other hand, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe had assured political party leaders on Friday, August 5, that the controversial visit will not go ahead as planned.
However, there is no official confirmation yet on the issue.
At the time of filing this report, it remains that the Chinese space and satellite tracking research vessel ‘Yuan Wang 5’ will be visiting Hambantota Port from August 11 to 17, weeks after Sri Lanka witnessed a major political turmoil following massive mass protests over the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.
Also read: India-Sri Lanka Talks Continue as Chinese Vessel Sails Towards Hambantota Port
India’s ministry of external affairs has said that India carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests.
In Colombo, Bandula Gunawardena, the Cabinet spokesman and minister of information, on Friday said the purpose of the Chinese ship was “only refuelling and replenishing other facilities and provisions,” according to the Daily Mirror newspaper.
“The ship or members of its crew will not be involved in any internal affairs or business in Sri Lanka,” the newspaper quoted Gunawardena as saying.
“China and India have always helped Sri Lanka domestically and in the international forums as true friends. Therefore, Sri Lanka would not do anything to harm the good understanding and trust existing between the two countries,” he said.
“Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has briefed both the countries at the diplomatic levels on this issue,” he added.
The ties between India and Sri Lanka had come under strain after Colombo gave permission to a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one of its ports in 2014.
It is understood that India has already apprised Sri Lanka about its concerns over the proposed visit of the Chinese vessel to the Hambantota port. India’s defence and security establishment has said it would closely follow the planned visit of the Chinese ship.
India has traditionally taken a stern view of Chinese military vessels in the Indian Ocean and has protested such visits with Sri Lanka in the past.
New Delhi’s concerns have been focused on Hambantota port in particular.
In 2017, Colombo leased the southern port to China Merchant Port Holdings, after Sri Lanka was unable to keep its loan repayment commitments, fanning fears over the potential use of the port for military purposes.
The proposed visit by the vessel comes when Sri Lanka is grappling with a severe economic crisis.
India has been at the forefront of extending economic assistance to Sri Lanka as it is grappling with the worst economic crisis since 1948.
The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is considered strategically important for its location. It has been developed largely with Chinese loans.
(With PTI inputs)
