Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama said that China will not be allowed to use the Hambantota port for military purposes even after it is leased to a Chinese company.

The port will be leased for a 99 year period with 80 percent stake going to the Chinese company and the remaining 20 percent to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

However, only the Sri Lankan navy will be able to use the port for military activities, Samarawickrama said.

He added that the Indian government has not opposed to the agreement since it is purely financial. There are no security implications in this transaction, he assured.