With eyes on China and India, Sri Lanka lifts ban on foreign research vessels

The decision reflects Colombo’s efforts to stay non-aligned as it juggles India’s security concerns with China’s growing influence

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Chinese research ship Yuan Wang 5 arrives in Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka in 2022. Photo: AP

Published: 3:12pm, 8 Jan 2025

Sri Lanka is reversing a year-long ban on foreign research vessels in its waters, opting instead to draft new protocols that aim to balance India’s security concerns with China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean.

The moratorium, which expired on December 31, was introduced in late 2023 after New Delhi raised alarms about the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 that conducted a joint maritime survey with Sri Lanka’s maritime agency.

While the ban temporarily eased tensions with India, Colombo’s decision to let the restriction lapse signals a shift towards managing maritime issues through regulations rather than outright prohibition.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed late last month that a committee was working on new standard operating procedures for granting clearance to foreign research vessels and aircraft. The guidelines would consider international best practices and national security concerns alongside the country’s national interests, Herath said.

But the move raises questions about Colombo’s ability to navigate the competing agendas of its two most influential partners.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar (left) meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Vijitha Herath in Colombo in October. Photo: AFP

Frédéric Grare, a senior research fellow at the Australian National University’s National Security College, described Sri Lanka’s approach as an attempt “to be as non-aligned as possible”.