US raises concerns over Chinese Research vessel’s Sri Lanka visit

The U.S. Under Secretary Victoria Nuland, in her meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, is reported to have raised concerns about the upcoming visit of Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6.

Minister Sabry briefed her that Sri Lanka, as a neutral country, had worked out the Standard Operating Procedure (SPO) to be followed by foreign ships and aircraft in carrying out any activity in Sri Lankan territory.

The minister reportedly told her that Sri Lanka had been even-handed in this approach for all the countries and could not exclude China only from the process as a result.

The minister who is in the United States in view of the UN General Assembly held talks with her.

Earlier, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that the SPO had been worked out for foreign vessels.

The Chinese research vessel is expected in Sri Lanka in October to carry out research along with the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).(Kelum Bandara)