COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has determined to raise from subsequent 12 months a ban on the go to of overseas analysis ships imposed after sturdy safety considerations 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 is perhaps spy ships and urged Colombo to not permit 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 12 months, 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 totally different guidelines for various nations and solely block China. He added that his nation won’t take sides in a dispute between others, the NHK World Japan mentioned in a report on Friday. The moratorium is until Jan subsequent 12 months. Sri Lanka will then not ban overseas analysis ships from its ports subsequent 12 months, Sabry mentioned.
Two Chinese language spy ships have been allowed to dock in Sri Lanka ports inside 14 months by way of Nov 2023, with one known as for replenishment and the opposite for analysis.