INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
satellite-tracking vessel Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota Port from August 16 - 22.Harbour Master Nimal P
Silva told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that he received clearance from the Foreign Ministry to let the ship to make a port call at
initially granted permission for the vessel to dock at Hambantota on July 12, a day before former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the
country giving in to months-long protests.According to AFP, the port officials have said the Chinese vessel was about 1,000km (620 miles)
south-east of Sri Lanka as of Friday night (Aug 12) and was heading towards Hambantota.The much-disputed 730-foot-long ship was initially
scheduled to dock at the Hambantota Port between August 11 and 17, however, Sri Lanka made a request from Beijing to defer the arrival.The
request for deferment came after India voiced strong concerns on the matter and said it carefully monitors any developments having a bearing
Colombo by citing the issue of security concerns.As diplomatic tensions were growing, Sri Lanka clarified that permission and clearance were
The vessel will conduct satellite control and research tracking in the north-western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and
September, the Sri Lankan government said further.Meanwhile, India on Friday (Aug 12) categorically rejected insinuation by China which
visit to Hambantota.Amidst the row over the Chinese vessel, Sri Lanka allowed a Pakistani warship PNS Taimur to make a port call in Colombo
According to Sri Lanka Navy, this Pakistani-guided missile frigate built by Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, is in Colombo for a formal
visit.-with inputs from agencies
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
