Ban on foreign research vessels ends, Sri Lanka seeks no extension

By Kelum Bandara 

The one-year ban on foreign research vessels for the  conduct of surveys in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters ended yesterday,  and the government has decided not to extend it because it is not in  conformity with international laws, Daily Mirror learns.   
The government has decided in this manner because any bar  on foreign vessels is against the United Nations Convention on the Law  of the Sea (UNCLOS).    The previous government imposed such a moratorium,  obviously to stop the foray of Chinese research vessels into the Sri  Lankan waters for research activities despite India resisting it citing   concerns for its national security.   
The then Sri Lankan government led by Mr. Ranil  Wickremesinghe took that decision for a moratorium following a request  from India.   
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Mr.  Wickremesinghe to respect Indian strategic and security concerns during   their meeting on July 21, 2023.   
After that, Chinese scientific research vessel Xiang Yang  Hong 3, which was scheduled to conduct “deep water exploration” in the  south Indian Ocean from January 5, 2024, to late May, was not granted a   clearance by Sri Lankan authorities.   
China protested the government’s decision and openly said  it could not approve of such a decision taken at the behest of an  external party. China has insisted on the resumption of research  cooperation.    The new government that came to power after the  Presidential Election on September 21, last year, has now decided not to  extend the moratorium. Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha  Herath said the government would appoint a committee to work out a  standard operating procedure (SOP) to consider requests from foreign  countries to conduct research activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone   of Sri Lanka.    However, during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi, the Indian leaders raised concerns once again.  India reportedly believes that such Chinese research vessels are used   for dual purpose of surveys and spying activities. Besides, India  believes these vessels engage in mapping the Ocean posing a threat to  its national security.   
However, the Chinese authorities believe that it carries  out such research cooperation with a number of other countries but faced  resistance only in Sri Lanka because of external influence.   
President Dissanayake is slated to visit China later this month.