In a developing maritime controversy, the Chinese research vessel ShiYan6 is set to visit Sri Lanka next month, sparking both excitement and concern. This voyage comes amid the cancellation of a crucial collaboration with a Sri Lankan university, contrasting with the commitment of Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to collaborate with the Chinese vessel. Furthermore, international pressure mounts as India and the United States express concerns over the impending visit.

The University of Ruhuna, a prominent institution in Sri Lanka, has recently canceled a planned collaboration with the Chinese research vessel ShiYan6. The decision to cancel the partnership has raised eyebrows, as the university had initially embraced the opportunity to collaborate with the vessel on research initiatives. The reasons behind the abrupt cancellation remain undisclosed, leaving many in the academic and scientific community curious about the motives behind the decision.

In stark contrast, Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has announced its commitment to collaborating with the Chinese research vessel. 

The impending visit of the ShiYan6 has not gone unnoticed on the international stage. India and the United States have expressed concerns over the Chinese vessel's visit to Sri Lanka. Both countries have a vested interest in the Indian Ocean region, and the presence of a Chinese research vessel has raised questions about its scientific objectives and its potential implications for regional geopolitics.