It is reported that Sri Lanka has granted permission to the Chinese built-Pakistani guided missile frigate PNS Taimur to make a port call at Colombo while on its way to join the Pakistan Navy in Karachi. The warship is on its maiden voyage to Pakistan and is expected to dock at Colombo port from August 12-15, 2022.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release yesterday confirmed that the Sri Lankan government requested their Chinese counterparts to defer the visit of the Chinese research vessel Yuang Wang 5 to the Hambantota Port until further consultation is carried out. 

The Ministry confirmed that the government had on July 12 granted diplomatic clearance for the Chinese vessel to make a port call at the Hambantota port for replenishment purposes. However, it has now been communicated to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Colombo to defer the visit which was scheduled to take place between 11-17 August, the Ministry said.