COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has determined to elevate from subsequent yr a ban on the go to of overseas analysis ships imposed after sturdy safety issues raised by India and the US following frequent docking requests from hi-tech Chinese language surveillance vessels, the Japanese media reported. The change in place was conveyed by visiting Sri Lankan overseas minister Ali Sabry to the NHK World Japan.
With the elevated motion of Chinese language analysis vessels within the Indian Ocean, New Delhi had expressed concern that these may be spy ships and urged Colombo to not enable such vessels to dock at its ports After India raised concern, Sri Lanka banned the entry of overseas analysis vessels from docking at its port in Jan.Earlier this yr, it had made an exception for a Chinese language vessel however mentioned the ban would proceed in any other case.
Sabry mentioned his authorities can’t have completely different guidelines for various international locations and solely block China. He added that his nation is not going to take sides in a dispute between others, the NHK World Japan mentioned in a report on Friday. The moratorium is until Jan subsequent yr. Sri Lanka will then now not ban overseas analysis ships from its ports subsequent yr, Sabry mentioned.
Two Chinese language spy ships had been allowed to dock in Sri Lanka ports inside 14 months by Nov 2023, with one referred to as for replenishment and the opposite for analysis.
With the elevated motion of Chinese language analysis vessels within the Indian Ocean, New Delhi had expressed concern that these may be spy ships and urged Colombo to not enable such vessels to dock at its ports After India raised concern, Sri Lanka banned the entry of overseas analysis vessels from docking at its port in Jan.Earlier this yr, it had made an exception for a Chinese language vessel however mentioned the ban would proceed in any other case.
Sabry mentioned his authorities can’t have completely different guidelines for various international locations and solely block China. He added that his nation is not going to take sides in a dispute between others, the NHK World Japan mentioned in a report on Friday. The moratorium is until Jan subsequent yr. Sri Lanka will then now not ban overseas analysis ships from its ports subsequent yr, Sabry mentioned.
Two Chinese language spy ships had been allowed to dock in Sri Lanka ports inside 14 months by Nov 2023, with one referred to as for replenishment and the opposite for analysis.
