(Commonwealth_ Sri Lanka has initiated efforts to bolster the capabilities of its Navy in managing interactions with foreign research vessels during a one-year moratorium, announced Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ali Sabry.
Amidst heightened security concerns raised by neighboring India and the United States following visits by two Chinese research vessels in a span of 14 months, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration has temporarily suspended the entry of foreign research ships into Sri Lankan waters.
Sabry clarified that while foreign research vessels are prohibited from conducting research activities, they are still permitted to utilize Sri Lanka’s ports for replenishment and crew changes.
“The measure we have taken is not a complete ban but rather a one-year moratorium to allow us time to enhance our capacity and understanding of the situation. To facilitate this, we have established a committee to oversee the process,” Sabry stated during a media briefing on Wednesday.
He further explained, “During this period, our navy will be enhancing its capabilities. We have requested assistance from Japan to provide us with a beachcraft for monitoring purposes, which they have agreed to. This will enable our navy to conduct its own research and collaborate with foreign counterparts on equal footing.”
Emphasizing that foreign vessels will only be allowed for port calls without research components, Sabry underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to ensuring national security while maintaining diplomatic relations with foreign partners.
The Chinese Embassy in Colombo expressed strong objection when a German research vessel was permitted entry in March, following Sri Lanka’s rejection of a similar request from Beijing in February.
Although the Sri Lankan government’s moratorium announcement did not specifically mention requests for replenishment or crew changes for foreign research vessels, the country is actively addressing this issue. Sri Lanka is currently developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to govern interactions with foreign research vessels.
This SOP will provide clear guidelines for handling such requests while ensuring national security interests are upheld. Additionally, efforts are underway to enhance the capacity of relevant officials tasked with managing these interactions. These proactive measures signify Sri Lanka’s commitment to responsibly managing maritime activities while safeguarding its territorial integrity and strategic interests.
Notably, two Chinese research ships were allowed to dock in Sri Lankan ports within 14 months leading up to November 2023. One of these vessels, named Shi Yan 6, arrived in Colombo in October 2023 for what Beijing described as “geophysical scientific research” in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).
The docking of the Chinese navy vessel Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota port in southern Sri Lanka in August 2022 stirred significant geopolitical tensions. The vessel’s presence for replenishment purposes heightened concerns over the increasing Chinese military presence in the Indian Ocean region, particularly among neighboring countries like India. India’s strong objections highlighted the complex dynamics of maritime security and strategic interests in the strategically vital Indian Ocean.
The decision to implement the moratorium reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity and security interests while navigating diplomatic relations with major powers such as China, India, and the United States.
By seeking to enhance its naval capabilities and establishing clear protocols for handling foreign research vessels, Sri Lanka aims to strike a balance between leveraging its strategic geographical position and protecting its sovereignty in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Moving forward, the development of robust maritime policies and security frameworks will be crucial for Sri Lanka to effectively manage its maritime domain and promote regional stability and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
