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Last Updated : 2024-05-11 19:20:00
11 August 2023 06:27 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka finally allowed a Chinese warship to make a port of call in Colombo for replenishment yesterday despite India’s initial resistance, Daily Mirror learns.
The navy said the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit yesterday.
“The 129 metre-long ship which arrived in Colombo is manned by a crew of 138 and it is commanded by Commander Jin Xin. The ship is scheduled to depart the country tomorrow,” the navy said.
The Chinese authorities sought permission for it earlier, but Sri Lanka delayed permission because of resistance from India. India and China are geopolitical rivals competing for strategic interests in Sri Lanka located at a crucial point in the Indian Ocean. According to an informed source, Sri Lanka briefed India about the Chinese ship making a port of call in Colombo. It is learnt that India is particularly opposed to Sri Lanka allowing Chinese research vessels in Sri Lankan ports.
“India is 'ok' with the normal port of call by other types of vessels,” the source said.
India protested when a Chinese survey ship visited Sri Lanka earlier last year. Despite India’s concerns, Sri Lanka allowed the ship to be docked at the Hambantota Port then. The ship ‘Yuan Wang 5 ‘was described then as a research and survey vessel.
However, some security analysts said that the ship was also packed with space and satellite tracking electronics that can monitor rocket and missile launches.
Sri Lanka has increasingly come under pressure from world powers such as the United States and India not to allow docking of Chinese military vessels in its ports. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has maintained that Sri Lanka stands for a neutral Asia-centric foreign policy without being caught in super-power rivalry. Also, he said the conflict involving Taiwan should not allow to be played out in the waters of Indian Ocean.
Currently Sri Lanka is in an exercise to manage equally good relations both with New Delhi and Beijing because both the powers are crucial in restructuring the country’s external debts. The President visited New Delhi recently and held talks on numerous connectivity projects between the two countries including land connectivity. India is skeptical whether Sri Lanka has the necessary strength to maintain a neutral foreign policy. (Kelum Bandara)
Lumbini Friday, 11 August 2023 07:42 AM
Sri Lanka has no policy on anything.
Robin Banks Friday, 11 August 2023 08:45 AM
It is not a case of allowing it is a case of subservience by the impotent SL government. There are two countries that part-own SL now and you guessed it.
Ranil - Hitler's retarded brother Friday, 11 August 2023 08:52 AM
In order to "allow", the Chinese have to ask permission. They don't have to when they have leased parts of the country for 99 years, thanks to the ranil rakapaksa criminal syndicate.
Neutral Friday, 11 August 2023 10:29 AM
There's no way Sri Lanka can say "No" to China .
Grace Friday, 11 August 2023 10:54 AM
Very soon a US warship will come navigating Chinese concerns.
Lanks Friday, 11 August 2023 12:48 PM
Sri Lanka do little on this matter..it is trapped between geopolitics of India and china.. suppose what would happen if we don't allow Chinese? What would be the consequences? Suppose what would happen if we allowed Chinese ships and what are the consequences? Now we must think logically and diplomatically on this . We need the balance the pros and cons of both sides ? Which path we should take ? I think the best option we have is to follow the non- alliance policy that we neither support Fully China against India not fully support India against china . All what we want from them to understand us and our difficult situation.. Both of them should know our situation? Thankfully since late PM Srima we have been wife enough to navigate our diplomatic ship through difficult time .. For instance during 1973 war between Bangladesh and Pakistan..India asked us not allow Pakistan fighter jets to refueling in Colombo but Srima allowed it despite India unhappiness. We may have to take such
Vive James Friday, 11 August 2023 02:01 PM
Our politicians were and are full of themselves conceited bunch of criminals. Their courage comes only during anti tamil or anti muslim riots. Otherwise generally very timid, subservient attitude.
Vive James Friday, 11 August 2023 02:01 PM
Our politicians were and are full of themselves conceited bunch of criminals. Their courage comes only during anti tamil or anti muslim riots. Otherwise generally very timid, subservient attitude.
Vive James Friday, 11 August 2023 02:01 PM
Our politicians were and are full of themselves conceited bunch of criminals. Their courage comes only during anti tamil or anti muslim riots. Otherwise generally very timid, subservient attitude.
Vive James Friday, 11 August 2023 02:01 PM
Our politicians were and are full of themselves conceited bunch of criminals. Their courage comes only during anti tamil or anti muslim riots. Otherwise generally very timid, subservient attitude.
Ram Friday, 11 August 2023 02:41 PM
We will soon antagonise our big brother and get into a soup
Jerome Friday, 11 August 2023 02:53 PM
Good day for war mongols who still think war win freed the nation and all people.
Expat Friday, 11 August 2023 03:36 PM
Shame on sri lanka that it is bullied by india in all things.
Facts Friday, 11 August 2023 07:53 PM
As long as RW is in power, he'll know how to handle these geopolitical situations because he a master at it. If a new leadership comes in, and messes things, they'll blame RW for the mess. We need both these nations and other nations around the world - tourism, investments, technological transfers, etc. Right now, the only capable guy to handle this with the international community is RW whether we like him or not. These are the facts no matter even if u stand on your head and not accept it.
Punchi Saturday, 12 August 2023 03:50 AM
The positive outcome of this is now India will give us more money and freebies to buy our loyalty and then we just need to allow another Chinese ship in and India will give us money again thinking this will make us loyal and if we are clever about this we can create a situation where we can factor Indian recurring money into our annual budget
Sambo Sunday, 13 August 2023 11:43 AM
That was prohibited according to the agreement and was promised to the people of this country. So how can we ever trust our politicians.
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