The Yuang Wang 5 controversy Govt. was handling the issue cautiously -Cabinet Spokesman

• Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it made a  request to defer the visit of the Chinese vessel Yuang Wang 5

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

The controversy related to the Chinese research ship, Yuang Wang 5 has to be dealt with utmost diplomacy and care as it may affect Sri Lanka’s national security and her diplomatic protocol, cabinet spokesman, Mass Media, Transport and Highways Minister   said.   

Responding to journalists at the post cabinet news briefing last morning, Minister Gunawardana added that the government was handling the issue cautiously and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has met the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi and explained to him the current situation of the controversy on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit at Phnom Penh, Cambodia last week.   

 He said the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it made a request to defer the visit of the Chinese vessel Yuang Wang 5.   

“Diplomatic clearance for the Chinese vessel to make a port call at the Hambantota International Port from 11-17 August​,​ 2022 for replenishment purposes was conveyed by the Foreign Ministry to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Colombo on 12 July​,​ 2022. Subsequently in light of the need for further consultations, the Ministry has communicated to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to defer the visit of the ship Yuang Wang 5 to the Hambantota port,” the Foreign Ministry has said.   
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the enduring friendship and excellent relations between Sri Lanka and China which remain on a solid foundation, as reiterated most recently by the two Foreign Ministers Ali Sabry and Wang Yi at a bilateral meeting in Phonm Penh, Cambodia on 4 August​,​ 2022.   

At this first meeting between the two Foreign Ministers, Minister Sabry referred to Sri Lanka’s firm commitment to the one-China policy which has been a consistent principle in the country’s foreign policy, Minister Gunawardana noted.   

 However, Minister Gunawardana said he would instruct Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, to clarify further at a news briefing about the issues raised by journalists as to how and why, Sri Lanka changed its stance in five days after permitting the research vessel Yuang Wang 5 to the territorial waters of Sri Lanka and dock at Hambantota International Port etc.