Sri Lanka will not allow “offensive weapons” in its waters: FM

Sri Lanka will not allow “offensive weapons” from any country in its waters, the island nation’s Foreign Minister has said.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who was visiting India on his first overseas assignment as Foreign Minister, said Sri Lanka intends to become an economic entry point in the Indian Ocean region and “offensive weapons” were not part of that plan.

Speaking to India’s Deccan Chronicle, the Minister said the move was not aimed at any country, adding that Sri Lanka would be willing to become part of the maritime corridors envisaged as part of China’s ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative on the grounds that shipping routes were “5,000 years old”.

In the wake of Colombo refusing permission to Beijing recently to dock a Chinese submarine at its port, the comment by Karunanayake was a clear signal to China that Sri Lanka would not allow Chinese submarines to dock at Lankan ports, and would respect Indian security concerns, the Deccan Chronicle said.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister said he wants Sri Lanka to be an economic entry point in the vicinity of India like Hong Kong was to China. “There are many who would like to live in Sri Lanka but do business in India,” he told the newspaper.

“Naval and offensive weapons don’t fall into this category (shipping routes). Offensive weapons are not welcome in Sri Lankan waters. We are not targeting any country,” he said.

The Minister also spoke about the “Indian-friendly approach” of his country and praised the vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently visited Sri Lanka on an official visit.

The Minister also indicated that India has been in touch with Sri Lanka regarding New Delhi’s views on the Chinese OBOR initiative but pointed out that India respects Sri Lanka’s “sovereign right” to take a decision keeping in mind Sri Lankan interests. He also welcomed Indian participation in infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. The Minister also thanked India for its assistance in the wake of the floods that have ravaged the island nation and expressed confidence that the contentious fishermen issue would be resolved to the satisfaction of both sides.

He also said Colombo would welcome Sri Lankan Tamils residing in India to return to Sri Lanka as it belonged to them as well.