Fri Dec 20 20:35:00 UTC 2024: ## Sri Lanka to Formulate Policy on Foreign Research Vessels Amidst Chinese Surveillance Concerns

**Colombo, Sri Lanka –** Sri Lanka will develop a national policy governing visits by foreign research vessels, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced Friday. This follows repeated requests from Chinese surveillance ships to dock in Sri Lankan ports, a matter that has raised concerns in India.

The announcement comes days after Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India. While in India, discussions regarding maritime research and development with China also took place.

Earlier this year, Sri Lanka imposed a year-long moratorium on foreign marine research vessels following security concerns raised by India and the US. While this moratorium remains in effect, Herath stated it will be reviewed. Following his return from India, President Dissanayake met with a Chinese official who expressed China’s desire to resume visits by its research ships.

Minister Herath acknowledged India’s security concerns, assuring that Sri Lanka would not allow any action threatening India’s security. He emphasized that President Dissanayake’s visit to India yielded positive results, strengthening bilateral relations. While two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed—one on training Sri Lankan public service officials and another on preventing dual taxation—Herath clarified that no formal agreements were reached on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) or proposals for a direct fuel pipeline and a security pact across the Palk Strait.

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