Team News Riveting
Colombo, August 16
Yuan Wang 5, a third-generation Chinese tracking ship of the Yuan Wang Series, finally entered the Hambantota deep sea port in Sri Lanka after five days of delay following strong reservation from India.
However, the island nation had asked China to defer the visit of vessel equipped with the top-of-the-line antennas and electronic equipment to track ballistic missiles and satellites. But it was told by Beijing that the ship had already set sail to Sri Lanka.
Diplomatic clearance for the Chinese vessel to make a port call at the Hambantota port from August 11 to 17 for replenishment purposes was granted by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, due to concerns raised by various factions including India, which aided island nation more than China to deal with the worst economic crisis that the country is currently facing, the Ministry requested China to defer the visit.
Amidst controversy, the Yuan Wang 5 entered the Hambantota deep sea port at around 8:30 AM on Tuesday (August 16), about five days of delay.
A special welcome ceremony was organized at the Hambantota Port on Tuesday by the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka to welcome the crew.
Sri Lanka however got the bitter taste soon after the ship docked as the crew denied entry to the Lankans. Captain Zhang Hongwang of the Yuan Wang 5 snubbed Sarath Weerasekera, the Ex-Rear Admiral when he tried to shake hands. Further to his humiliation, the former Sri Lankan navy officer was also denied entry to the ship.
Reports said the Chinese crew denied entry to others also.
