Sri Lanka to move naval unit to Hambantota

A shipping carrier at the Hambantota port.

Sri Lanka will move its southern naval command to Hambantota, which has been leased to a state-run Chinese firm. However, China will not use it for military purposes, the Prime Minister’s office said on Saturday.

Colombo’s announcement will likely raise fresh concerns in New Delhi over China’s military potentially getting a foothold in the Indian Ocean. “The Sri Lanka Navy is moving its Southern Command to Hambantota,” Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office said. But it added: “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,” it said.