Sri Lankan MP Hits Out At Govt for permitting Chinese spy ship
Yuan Wang 5 is expected to dock in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port from August 11-17. Sri Lanka MP has hit out at government over docking of Chinese spy ship
Sri Lankan MP Mano Ganesan on Tuesday questioned the government over the proposed docking of a Chinese tracking ship in Hambantota port and asked whether China is bringing the Indo-Sino war to Sri Lankan waters.
“Is China bringing Indo-Sino war to Srilankan waters and soil? When an US carrier goes closer to Taiwan seas, PR China boils and reacts strongly. Isn’t India justified in doing the same when China brings naval surveillance vessel Yuan-Wang to Hambantota,” Ganesan, a Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader, questioned Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a tweet.
The newly formed government of the island nation is facing a backlash from its own leaders over the proposed visit of the Chinese spy ship Yuan Wang to its Hambantota port next week. The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is considered strategically important for its location.
The port, located in the hometown of the Rajapaksa family, has been developed largely with Chinese loans.
Yuan Wang 5 is expected to dock in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port from August 11-17 for ‘replenishment’ and will conduct satellite control and research tracking in the north western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.
Meanwhile, India had expressed its concern over the presence of a Chinese tracking ship in Sri Lankan waters. Earlier, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is carefully monitoring any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests.
The proposed visit by the vessel comes when Sri Lanka is grappling with a severe economic crisis. India is closely watching the situation.
The India Navy should place two warships off the territorial waters of Sri Lanka and tail the Chinese Ship as PLAN does to ships in Nautuna Sea. The entire world in general and PLAN in particular should know that in time of hostilities any country providing fuel / supplies or shelter to Chinese ships will face the full fury of the Indian Navy and the IAF. There should be no doubt in this regard.
