Sri Lanka recently allowed a Chinese navy sailing ship, Po Lang, to dock in Colombo despite a ban on foreign research vessels. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath clarified that the ship was considered a training vessel, not a research craft, hence the permission to dock. This decision sparked concerns, especially from regional power India, regarding China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Despite the docking permission, Sri Lanka’s policy on research vessels remains unchanged according to Herath. The Chinese crew aboard Po Lang is set to stay until Friday, engaging in sightseeing and offering briefings to Sri Lankan sailors, as per Colombo’s navy.