Sri Lanka-China relations

China’s Sinopec has agreed to set up an oil refinery with an investment of $3.7 billion in Hambantota.

Promises made to India by President Anura Dissanayake in December 2024 must be matched with action.

Pressure from India and the U.S. on the docking of Chinese research vessels at its ports appears to have prompted Sri Lanka to impose a one-year moratorium on visits by foreign research vessels.

To project itself as a more benevolent power, it is providing dry rations to Sri Lankans.

The 25-year contract with the petroleum giant is expected to ease the fuel shortage in the country.

Several Chinese delegations have traveled to Sri Lanka in recent months and Chinese investments could spike, prompting alarmist reporting in the Indian media.

Its charge d’affaires in Colombo raced to Kandy to warn a top Buddhist monk of damage to bilateral relations if the Tibetan leader visited the island.

Irked over Canada allowing a referendum on Khalistan to take place, India hit back with a travel advisory cautioning against increasing hate crimes in Canada.

It has repeatedly scrapped deals and flip-flopped on decisions with an array of partners, including India, Japan, China and Russia.

Sri Lanka’s refusal to codify trade relations with India speaks to a consistent policy of strategic ambiguity.

In addition to foreign debt obligations exceeding $7 billion, Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves are down to $1.6 billion, barely enough for a few weeks of imports.

By embracing some countries and excluding others, the US has squandered an opportunity to unite South Asia – at least ideologically – against Beijing.

As competition intensifies in the Indian Ocean Region, India loses touch with Sri Lanka and solidifies relations with the Maldives.

Beijing first stepped forward to assist Colombo, a move with geopolitical ramifications.

The deal by the previous government to hand over control to a Chinese firm was seen as a cautionary tale on the dangers of ‘debt trap’ diplomacy.

The infamous 99-year-lease on the port to a Chinese state firm may see an update if the new government in Colombo has its way.

Rather than a reactionary response to the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, India appeared prepared for the political developments in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's export earnings may rise as much as $7 billion because of the refinery.

Anxiety over China’s growing maritime influence drives Japanese, Indian, and U.S. interests in Sri Lanka's ports.

The Sri Lankan government has given assurances that the port will not be used for military ends.

Colombo’s attempt to balance India and China has proved futile.

Faced with difficult choices, Sri Lanka has to hope China’s Belt and Road can bring prosperity.

Taylor Dibbert and Ankit Panda discuss Sri Lanka's domestic politics and foreign policy.

China and Sri Lanka are expected to move forward on Hambantota port in November 2016.