Sri Lanka has decided to lift the one-year ban on foreign research vessels entering its waters, allowing future requests to be considered on a case-by-case basis, according to a statement from the Cabinet Spokesman.
This move comes as China prepares to send research ships into Sri Lankan waters in the Indian Ocean, a development that has raised significant security concerns in India regarding the region.
Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the issue, stating that the Sri Lankan government is handling the situation diplomatically with both China and India. “We are very open,” Jayatissa told reporters in response to questions about the ban. “Whenever research vessels come, we can study, investigate, and negotiate with the relevant parties.”
He confirmed that the one-year ban on foreign research vessels entering Sri Lankan waters for research purposes has been relaxed. The government will now assess each request individually, taking into consideration the specific purpose of the research and consulting with the Security Council if necessary.
Jayatissa’s comments follow remarks by a senior Chinese official who revealed that Beijing plans to begin maritime research in the Indian Ocean.
Last year, Sri Lanka’s previous government imposed a temporary one-year ban on foreign research vessels after India raised concerns about Chinese vessels operating in Sri Lankan waters. India expressed its confidence that Sri Lanka would address security concerns related to the visits of Chinese research vessels. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking on December 16, emphasized that Sri Lanka is carefully considering the issue, keeping in mind India’s role in maritime security and research.
During a three-day official visit to India, Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Sri Lankan territory would not be used in ways that could compromise India’s security.
Initially, the ban was put in place as Sri Lanka sought to establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for foreign research vessels. However, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has since clarified that no such SOP has been established.
Despite the ban, two Chinese research vessels were allowed to dock in Sri Lankan ports over the past 14 months. In August 2022, the Chinese navy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, for replenishment. In October 2023, the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 arrived at Colombo port for “geophysical scientific research” in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). Both vessels drew strong protests from India, which expressed concerns over security in the Indian Ocean region.
India uses the Colombo port as its primary transshipment hub, accounting for about 70% of the port’s total transshipment volume.
