INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Sri Lankan government is set to unveil a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for visits by foreign ships or aircraft, including
expected to be formally announced by authorities in Colombo soon, people familiar with the initiative in both Sri Lanka and India said on
condition of anonymity.The development comes against the backdrop of a diplomatic row between New Delhi and Colombo last year over the
Chinese-controlled Hambantota port
down the type of vessels that can make port calls
snoop on Indian security facilities while in Sri Lankan waters, the people said.Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe referred to the
SOP while participating in the annual Indo-Pacific Islands Dialogue organised by Carnegie Endowment in New York this month
He contended the new SOP built on earlier procedures set by the Sri Lankan Navy and were framed following consultations with the Indian
So, any ships that come in now are according to an operation procedure which we have done together with India
visit the island country under the terms of agreements between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Aquatic Resources Research
and Development Agency (NARA) and some universities of Sri Lanka
Such vessels have visited Sri Lanka for the past 10 years, he added.Both India and the US have expressed concern about a planned visit to
oceanography, marine geology, and marine ecology tests
China sought permission from Sri Lanka in August for a port call by the vessel, but the people said a final decision on dates for a visit is
yet to be made.While the Indian side conveyed its concerns to authorities in Colombo, US undersecretary of state for political affairs
Victoria Nuland took up the matter with Sri Lankan foreign minister Ali Sabry during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly
in New York.Shi Yan 6 is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in October to carry out tests with NARA.Source - Hindustan Times--Agencies
