The Chinese research vessel SHI YAN 6, which arrived in Sri Lanka in October 2023, recently sent a distress signal to the Sri Lanka Navy from within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, requesting medical assistance for a crew member. The distress signal was issued after a crew member’s kidney condition worsened.
The Navy responded immediately, dispatching a boat to transfer the patient to the Galle General Hospital for treatment.
SHI YAN 6 is the most recent Chinese research vessel to visit Sri Lanka. Its arrival previously drew strong opposition from the United States and India. At the time, the government led by Ranil Wickremesinghe, concerned of this opposition, imposed a ban on research vessels. The government also stated that a standard framework would be introduced for such vessels in the future. However, since January 2024, no Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been formulated.
After Anura’s government came to power in 2024, China repeatedly pressured Sri Lanka to lift the ban on research vessels, but the government did not respond positively. It was against this backdrop that the request for medical assistance from the SHI YAN 6 was made while it was near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Government sources have stated that the vessel had not sought permission to enter Sri Lankan waters before issuing the distress signal to obtain medical treatment for the crew member. China has not yet made an official statement regarding this incident. This decision suggests that the current government is not prepared to grant permission for Chinese research vessels to enter Sri Lanka.
However, China has not yet launched any noticeable counteraction against the government over this matter. Instead, the Chinese ambassador appears to remain quite relaxed. One possible reason for this could be Sri Lanka’s emergence as a growing market for Chinese vehicles.
Previously, Japanese vehicles dominated Sri Lanka’s market. In 2015, the Sirisena–Ranil government introduced tax revisions on vehicles, which led to the rise in popularity of Indian Maruti cars. With the current government lifting the vehicle import ban imposed during Gotabaya’s administration, demand for Chinese electric vehicles has increased in Sri Lanka.
It remains unclear whether the Chinese ambassador’s relaxed stance is due to China’s ability to expand its presence in Sri Lanka’s vehicle market despite the ban on Chinese research vessels.
