Sri Lanka refused permission for a Chinese submarine to dock at Colombo next week after a similar visit in 2014 angered regional super-power India, a top defence official said Thursday.
Chinese authorities had sought clearance for a port call at Colombo where a Chinese state-owned company operates a mega container terminal, the official said asking not to be named.
"They have asked for permission, but we have said no," the official told AFP. "It is a very sensitive matter." He did not elaborate.
The rejection came as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting Sri Lanka as chief guest of Vesak, the island's main Buddhist celebration making the birth, enlightenment and the passing of the Buddha.
The request for the Chinese submarine visit was for next week, after Modi's departure on Friday evening, official sources said.
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