Sri Lanka to base navy’s Southern Command at Chinese-run Hambantota port
Colombo says it has told Beijing that China cannot use the facility for military purposes
Sri Lanka will move its southern naval command to a port leased to a state-run Chinese firm but China will not use the facility for military purposes, the prime minister’s office said on Saturday.
Colombo’s announcement is likely to raise fresh concerns in New Delhi over China’s military potentially getting a foothold in the Indian Ocean through the deep-sea port of Hambantota, which straddles a major east-west shipping route.
“The Sri Lanka navy is moving its Southern Command to Hambantota,” Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office said.
“There is no need to be frightened as security of the port will be under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy.
“Sri Lanka has also informed the Chinese that Hambantota cannot be used [by China] for military purposes.”