Sri Lanka's Strategic Move: Welcoming Foreign 'Research' Ships Post-China Ban - What's Behind It?

Following a one-year prohibition on Chinese ships docking in Sri Lankan ports, the government of Colombo has opted to allow foreign offshore 'research ships' to anchor for replenishment purposes.

Niluka Kadurugamuwa, the spokesperson for Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, clarified that the ban specifically pertains to research activities and not replenishment.

Sri Lanka Lifts Ban on Foreign Research Ships

Recently, a German research vessel was granted permission to anchor in Sri Lanka for replenishment, leading to criticism from China, which accused Colombo of employing double standards. Sri Lanka is presently in the process of formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing foreign research vessels.

The ban on Chinese vessels was instituted in January, after a request from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respect India's security concerns. This decision was made following concerns raised by both India and the US regarding Colombo's engagement with Chinese vessels in its territorial waters.

Chinese ships in Sri Lanka

Within a span of 14 months through November 2023, Sri Lanka permitted two Chinese spy ships to dock in its ports, with one being called for replenishment and the other for research purposes.

In October 2023, the Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 was allowed to dock at the Colombo port, purportedly for geophysical scientific research conducted in collaboration with Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

In August 2022, the Chinese navy vessel Yuan Wang 5 was docked at Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka for replenishment.