Sri Lanka considers permission freeze for Chinese 'spy' ships

Sri Lanka is considering imposing a moratorium on granting diplomatic permission for foreign marine research vessels for 2024 and beyond in a bid to prevent Chinese 'research-cum-spy' ships from docking at Lankan ports in the backdrop of Indian reservations...

However, Colombo turned down the request for the vessel to conduct a survey in Sri Lankan waters considering diplomatic tensions and the fact that the island nation's next presidential election is due in 2024, Colombo-based sources said...

"The government is considering a year-long moratorium on granting permission for foreign research vessels to conduct surveys in Sri Lankan waters or her exclusive economic zone (EEZ)," a senior Lankan minister told Lankan daily The Daily Morning..

So, a moratorium, for one year or perhaps more, is being considered," the minister said.. India in the past had expressed reservations about the Lankan authorities allowing Chinese 'spy' ships to dock at its ports as such vessels allegedly help Beijing gather critical information from India's southern states...

There is a pattern in Chinese activities through its ships in Sri Lankan waters and Colombo in the past succumbed to pressure from Beijing, given Lanka's indebtedness, said people familiar with the Chinese strategy...

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