Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister, M.U.M. Ali Sabry, refuted reports claiming that the country has decided to end its moratorium on foreign scientific research vessels operating in Sri Lankan waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone. The reports had emerged following Sabry’s official visit to Japan last week.

In a response to a local newspaper inquiry, Minister Sabry clarified that his statements had been misrepresented. He emphasised that no decision has been made regarding the moratorium, which is in place for the current year. He acknowledged mentioning the potential for the moratorium to be lifted, but insisted that this was speculative and dependent on future assessments.

In December last year, Sri Lanka had decided to not permit any foreign research ship to operate within the exclusive economic zone or dock at its ports for a year.