…NPP yet to decide on new procedure
The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) has called upon the National People’s Power (NPP) government to reveal its position on foreign research vessels visiting Sri Lanka ports.
Top PNM spokesman Dr. Wasantha Bandara yesterday (12) said that the recent visit by FS BEAUTEMPS-BEAUPRE A 758 of the French Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service went almost unnoticed though the government was yet to disclose the status of ban on foreign research vessels imposed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for a period of one year (January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024).
A French Destroyer Provence assigned to the carrier strike group deployed in the Indo-Pacific region was here in late March this year.
Dr. Bandara emphasised that Sri Lanka couldn’t, under any circumstances, adopt varying positions on such ship visits.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, on Dec. 20, 2024. announced the appointment of a committee to formulate a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for foreign research vessels. Dr. Bandara said that the people have a right to know what this new SOP is.
The French vessel arrived in Colombo on May 09, purportedly on a goodwill visit. The Navy welcomed the vessel in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
Manned by a 58 crew, the 80.65m long ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ is commanded by Commander BERTHEAU Dimitri. Launched on April 26th, 2002, the vessel entered service on Dec. 13th 2003.
The Commanding Officer and a group of crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
Authoritative Foreign Ministry sources said that the committee was engaged in working on the new SOP. The process was continuing, sources said.
Dr. Bandara alleged that Wickremesinghe imposed the ban on foreign research vessels at the behest of India and the US. The PNM spokesman pointed out that US Ambassador Julie Chung’s successor Elizabeth K. Horst, in May last year, declared before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee the US role in the ban imposed by Wickremesinghe.
Responding to The Island queries, Dr. Bandara said that the PNM, Global Sri Lankan Forum, Swadeshika Jathika Viyaparaya and Thunhela Jathiak Viyaparaya petitioned the Supreme Court against the seven secret MoUs the NPP government signed with India recently. Referring to the MoU on Defence Cooperation, Dr. Bandara said that the petition sought an explanation regarding Sri Lanka’s position on foreign research vessels.
The petition raised two key issues (1) whether the Government of Sri Lanka had the right to amend the clauses of MoUs if they were found to be adverse and detrimental to the interest of Sri Lanka? and
(2) whether the Government agreed under the MoU on Defence Cooperation with India that Chinese vessels would not be allowed in Sri Lankan waters?
Dr. Bandara said that it wouldn’t be fair to have a ban particularly designed to block Chinese research vessels. “We shouldn’t get involved in the ongoing dispute between China and US backed alliance that included India,” Dr. Bandara said.
Dr. Bandara recalled how interested parties caused media furore over Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5 visit to Hambantota in August 2022 in the wake of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster. In late Oct. 2023, Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 visited Colombo amidst controversy.
The PNM urged all political parties, represented in Parliament, to examine the issue and take appropriate measures to deal with the situation.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
