ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is yet to name members for a panel to draft a new Standard of Procedures (SOP) to handle foreign research vessels though a moratorium on such ships coming into the island nation’s waters has elapsed, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.
The island nation’s previous government imposed a one-year moratorium in December 2023 amid pressure by India and the United States over Chinese vessels coming for research purposes. Both QUAD members pressed Sri Lanka after two Chinese research vessels came to the island nation within 14 months.
The one-year moratorium ended on December 31 last year.
“The Cabinet has taken a decision to appoint a new committee to review the existing SOP and come up with a new SOP on the visits of all the foreign research ships,” Minister Herath told reporters at a special media briefing in Colombo on Wednesday.
“The committee will be under my leadership as the Foreign Minister. The committee will come up with the criteria which we should consider when these ships come to Sri Lankan waters. Depending on the committee’s recommendations, the new SOP will be formulated. The decision on allowing foreign research ships will be based on that.”
India has emphasized through diplomatic channels that the visit of Chinese vessels to Sri Lanka poses security threats for the Indian Ocean region, Sri Lanka government officials have said.
The previous government wanted to come up with an SOP which would ensure all foreign vessels to work with a local partner on marine research. The last government wanted to build the capacity of such local teams along with navy personnel.
Sri Lanka and China have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation amid Indian concerns over Chinese research ships visiting the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka and China agreed for maritime cooperation during President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s official visit to Beijing last week.
Minister Herath said the government will use the existing SOP to accommodate any requests for research by foreign vessels in Sri Lanka waters.
“If there is a research vessel coming during this interim period, the earlier SOP can be used,” he said.
“We expect to complete this as soon as possible. The cabinet has taken a decision to appoint such a committee under my leadership, but we have not nominated the members for that committee yet.”
He also said Sri Lanka does not have to take approval from India or inform the neighbour on visit of any foreign vessels. Government officials have said some previous governments have maintained such practices to maintain better relationships with India.
Sri Lanka, however, through a 1987 accord with India has agreed not to allow Sri Lankan territory to be used against India’s national security.
Sri Lanka government officials have said India strongly reacted to a decision by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa government in October 2014 when it allowed a Chinese nuclear submarine to be docked in Colombo port without informing India. (Colombo/January 23/2024)
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