India interfering in Lanka's internal affairs: says Chinese scholar

Beijing: Riled by Sri Lankan envoy's assertion that Colombo will not permit China's military presence in its ports, Chinese official media on Tuesday quoted a scholar who accused India of "interfering" in the island nation's internal affairs.

Sri Lankan envoy to China Karunasena Kodituwakku last week said that Colombo will not permit any military activity by China in any of its ports, including Hambantota in which Chinese firm will have 80 per cent stake.

"Sri Lanka's promise is unnecessary because the port is meant for civilian use, and shows that India is interfering in Sri Lanka's affairs," Chu said.

"China has no intention to offend India, and the program is good for Sri Lanka's economic development. But if India has a problem with the program and oppresses its neighbour, it only shows that it is interfering in other countries' domestic affairs," Chu Yin, an associate professor at the University of International Relations, told state-run Global Times daily.

Lin Minwang, a professor at the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University said "Sri Lanka initially wanted India to help develop Hambantota port."

"But it finally turned to China for help since India faces financial difficulties and concerns over future competition with its own ports in the Indian Ocean."