Ripples over alleged chinese spy ship

Daily Mirror
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In the latest development over the continuing concern by India over the heavy Chinese involvement and presence in Sri Lanka, the Indian media quoting Indian government sources alleged yesterday that a Chinese spy ship disguised as a fishing trawler which was tracked in the Indian Ocean recently by the Indian Navy had moved towards Sri Lanka and docked at the Colombo port.

According to Indian media reports the ship was detected near the coast of Little Andaman. It is believed that the ship had spent more than 20 days in the sensitive location before Indian radars could locate it.

While the Indian Navy dispatched a ship as soon as the presence of the Chinese spy ship was confirmed, no action could be taken as the vessel was in international waters. However, the Indian Navy ship did tail the Chinese vessel till it move towards Sri Lankan waters. The ship is reported to have docked at Colombo.

It is believed that the ship had as many as 22 laboratories on board.

However, Sri Lanka Navy, which has the full authority every security related matters including the physical inspection of every vessel that is entering Colombo Port denied detection of any suspicious equipment on board Chinese vessels in the recent past.

“We have not found any suspicious equipment on board any Chinese vessels at Colombo port in the recent past as claimed by some media,” Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

The Indian media report quoting the Indian Government sources said the Chinese ship had specific aims to map the Indian Ocean and collect Bathymetric data, which helps in submarine and aircraft carrier based operations.

The labs on board the ship are also believed to have been used to collect data on Ocean currents, the temperature at various depths and also underwater obstructions and obstacles. This information becomes crucial if one has to use torpedoes.

© Daily Mirror