By Susitha Fernando Colombo on Aug.6 : Due to pressure from its immediate neighbor India, Sri Lanka has been urging China to hold off the entry of controversial Chinese ship “Yuan Wang 5” to the Chinese controlled port in Southern Hambantota.
In a letter addressed to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo in Colombo, the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka stated “The Ministry would like to ask that the date of arrival of the vessel Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota to be delayed until further discussions are held regarding this issue.”
In reference to the authorization granted on July 12 to allow the Chinese ship to enter the port of Hambantota The Foreign Ministry said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Colombo and is honored to reference the Ministry’s Note No.PR/0640/2022 of the 12th of July, 2022, which gives the permissions for the arrival of the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 to enter the Port of Hambantota to replenish for replenishment purposes.”
A few weeks ahead of the arrival of the Chinese “spy” vessel, India has expressed concerns with the Sri Lankan government of Sri Lanka.India was warned that it is monitoring closely every development with regards to Sri Lanka’s security in the wake of the arrival of Chinese “research” vessel, which was scheduled to arrive at Hambantota on the 11th of August.
A bilateral agreement that was signed in 1987 that states that there is no way for a Sri Lankan port can be permitted to be used to support military operations by any nation in an unfavourable way against India’s interests.
As a response to India’s concerns, Sri Lanka had earlier declared that the presence of the Chinese ship was to assist in “refuelling and replenishment of various facilities as well as supplies”.
“The ship or any of the crew of it will not be involved in any internal issues or conduct trade in Sri Lanka.
China as well as India have always supported Sri Lanka domestically and in the international arena as genuine allies,” Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Bandula Gunawarndena had stated.
“Sri Lanka will not do anything to undermine the trust and goodwill that has existed between the two countries for millennia.
Under no circumstances will Sri Lanka act detrimental to the interests of India or China since both countries are Sri Lanka’s best friends and have stood by Sri Lanka at all times,” he had said.
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