The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (17) granted approval to introduce a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for granting diplomatic clearance to foreign sea vessels and foreign government or military aircraft visiting Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the Cabinet media briefing held yesterday (18), Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said that the decision was taken after considering geopolitical issues in the South Asian region. “As a result of Sri Lanka’s geographical location in the Indian Ocean, foreign vessels and foreign Government or military aircraft regularly visit Sri Lanka. Moreover, other states and international organisations are interested in conducting marine scientific research within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone and on Sri Lanka’s continental shelf. Because of this situation, the need to prepare a standard operating procedure has been recognised to enable the granting of diplomatic permission for those activities,” he added. Speaking further, Gunawardana also said that this proposal can be considered a very timely proposal since Sri Lanka has now become a regional hub in world politics due to various reasons, and therefore, new rules and regulations are needed to strengthen Sri Lanka in the face of new global trends.

He noted that accordingly, the Cabinet approved a proposal presented by President and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe to submit the approved standard operating procedures upon consulting all relevant parties.