According to sources, China's embassy in this country has requested an urgent meeting with senior Sri Lankan officials after Colombo requested a postponement of the scheduled docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the important Hambantota port, about which India expressed reservations.
According to certain media accounts, Sri Lanka had received a complaint from India, which was concerned that the ship would be used to spy on its operations.
After receiving a note from the foreign ministry requesting a postponement of the visit, sources claimed the Chinese embassy in Colombo requested an urgent meeting with the highest ranking Sri Lankan authorities to resolve the matter.
According to the article, India sent Sri Lanka strong protest letters after learning that the ship was able to track satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles. According to India, any development that could have an impact on its security or economic interests is closely monitored.
The Chinese space and satellite monitoring research vessel "Yuan Wang 5" was slated to dock at the Hambantota Port from August 11 to August 17, weeks after Sri Lanka experienced significant political unrest as a result of widespread mass protests over the nation's worst economic crisis in decades.