Arrival of Chinese ‘spy ship’ Yuan Wang 5 | Sri Lankan Minister says India understands its situation; hopes it would not be diplomatic issue

Tourism Minister of Sri Lanka Harin Fernado said China has made a lot of investment in Sri Lanka and has been “understanding its requirements in the past.”

Amid concerns over the arrival of Chinese ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ to Sri Lanka, the country’s Tourism Minister Harin Fernado said, in Ahmedabad, on August 20, that he hoped it would not cause a major diplomatic row as India understands its situation. The Minister is in Ahmedabad to promote tourism in the island nation.

Mr. Fernado said China has made a lot of investment in Sri Lanka and has been "understanding its requirements in the past." Indian authorities have expressed worries about the ship's snooping capability.

“Sri Lanka is a small country and Sri Lanka has very good friendship with everyone. I am sure India understands that. We have a very good diplomatic relationship with India,” the visiting Minister said, replying to a question. Indian authorities consider the vessel to be a ‘dual-use spy ship’.

Mr. Fernado said Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe and its Foreign Minister were in constant touch with Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I think they understand our situation,” he said.

"There is a lot of investment by the Chinese in Sri Lanka and they have also been quite understanding of our requirements in the past. So, I am quite hopeful this is not a major diplomatic issue. This could be looked into," he further said.

The Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship is berthed at Sri Lanka's southern port of Hambantota and will remain docked at the Chinese-run port till August 22.

Explained | Why is the visit of a Chinese vessel to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port controversial?