Colombo: A high-tech Chinese research ship docked at the strategically important hambantota departed from port Sri Lanka Water on Monday after a controversial six-day visit.
The ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ was originally scheduled to arrive at the Chinese-run port on August 11, but was delayed due to lack of permission by Sri Lankan authorities following security concerns raised by India.
The Chinese ship reached the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota at 8:20 am local time on 16 August. It was docked there for refilling.
Port master Nirmal Silva told reporters that the ship left the port at 4 pm local time.
Officials said its next port of call is at Jiang Yin port in China.
Hambantota port officials said there was no rotation of personnel during the call as agreed. Sri Lanka Provided necessary assistance sought by the Chinese Embassy during the ship’s voyage.
Amidst India’s concerns over this, Sri Lanka had asked China to postpone the visit. On 13 August, Colombo granted the vessel access to port from 16 August to 22 August, on the condition that it would keep the Automatic Identification System (AIS) within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) operational and not conduct any scientific research. Will go in Sri Lankan waters.
Sri Lanka has stated that security clearance was granted from the Ministry of Defense for the vessel’s voyage for the purpose of replenishment during the stipulated period.
It said there would be no rotation of personnel during port calls and the Sri Lankan government was requested by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to provide necessary assistance.
Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said in a statement earlier this month that security and cooperation in the neighborhood is a top priority in dealing with the issue of the Chinese vessel Wang Yang 5.
The local Telecom Regulatory Authority had issued a no-objection letter for the use of frequencies and communication equipment on non-interference and non-protection grounds.
There were fears in New Delhi that the ship’s tracking systems were attempting to spy on Indian defense installations en route to the Sri Lankan port.
China says the ship is used for scientific research, but the US Department of Defense says the ship is under the command of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and is capable of tracking satellites and missile launches.
The ship’s arrival at the Hambantota port became controversial as China leased the port from Sri Lanka for 99 years in 2017 after Colombo failed to pay a loan related to the facility’s construction.
Colombo’s approval for the docking of the Chinese research vessel was significant as cash-strapped Sri Lanka is seeking immediate relief from the government. International Monetary Fund (IMF).
China is a major creditor to Sri Lanka, and is crucial to Sri Lanka’s efforts to restructure its debt to secure a bailout from the IMF.
The ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ was originally scheduled to arrive at the Chinese-run port on August 11, but was delayed due to lack of permission by Sri Lankan authorities following security concerns raised by India.
The Chinese ship reached the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota at 8:20 am local time on 16 August. It was docked there for refilling.
Port master Nirmal Silva told reporters that the ship left the port at 4 pm local time.
Officials said its next port of call is at Jiang Yin port in China.
Hambantota port officials said there was no rotation of personnel during the call as agreed. Sri Lanka Provided necessary assistance sought by the Chinese Embassy during the ship’s voyage.
Amidst India’s concerns over this, Sri Lanka had asked China to postpone the visit. On 13 August, Colombo granted the vessel access to port from 16 August to 22 August, on the condition that it would keep the Automatic Identification System (AIS) within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) operational and not conduct any scientific research. Will go in Sri Lankan waters.
Sri Lanka has stated that security clearance was granted from the Ministry of Defense for the vessel’s voyage for the purpose of replenishment during the stipulated period.
It said there would be no rotation of personnel during port calls and the Sri Lankan government was requested by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to provide necessary assistance.
Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said in a statement earlier this month that security and cooperation in the neighborhood is a top priority in dealing with the issue of the Chinese vessel Wang Yang 5.
The local Telecom Regulatory Authority had issued a no-objection letter for the use of frequencies and communication equipment on non-interference and non-protection grounds.
There were fears in New Delhi that the ship’s tracking systems were attempting to spy on Indian defense installations en route to the Sri Lankan port.
China says the ship is used for scientific research, but the US Department of Defense says the ship is under the command of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and is capable of tracking satellites and missile launches.
The ship’s arrival at the Hambantota port became controversial as China leased the port from Sri Lanka for 99 years in 2017 after Colombo failed to pay a loan related to the facility’s construction.
Colombo’s approval for the docking of the Chinese research vessel was significant as cash-strapped Sri Lanka is seeking immediate relief from the government. International Monetary Fund (IMF).
China is a major creditor to Sri Lanka, and is crucial to Sri Lanka’s efforts to restructure its debt to secure a bailout from the IMF.