The Ministry of Defence has granted approval for the Chinese geophysical and seismic survey vessel ‘Shi Yan 6’ to carry out research on Sri Lankan waters with the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).
According to a spokesman of the Ministry of Defence, the approval was granted on request by NARA and the Foreign Ministry.
China had requested permission for a research ship to dock in Sri Lanka, following a visit by a spacecraft-tracking vessel last year that sparked security concerns from neighbouring India.
