Following the conclusion of his first overseas trip to India, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had a tense conversation with a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) regarding the development of a partnership with China, investments, and the potential resumption of maritime research.

Dissanayake is expected to travel to China soon. The Sri Lankan president, whose Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party or National People’s Power (NPP) has been known for its anti-India views, was in New Delhi from December 15 to 17. After returning, Dissanayake met with Qin Boyong, the vice-chairperson of the National Committee of the CPPCC, on Wednesday, December 18. What Dissanayake told Qin was quite similar to the praise he gave to India after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. 

According to the office of the president of Sri Lanka, Dissanayake expressed "gratitude to the Chinese government for its support during debt restructuring as well as in the face of the economic crisis" during his meeting with Qin. Additionally, he "underlined the continued need for China's support in the future." Potential investments and unfinished Chinese projects were also discussed. Qin stated that there are "plans to restart maritime research activities, which were temporarily halted for various reasons, along with initiating relevant projects," according to a statement released by the office of the president of Sri Lanka.

Recently, New Delhi has raised concerns with Colombo about allowing Chinese research ships to visit. Sri Lanka had imposed a one-year ban on such visits after India expressed its worries about Chinese research vessels docking at Sri Lankan ports. This ban is about to expire soon. "Sri Lanka will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability," Dissanayake pledged to PM Modi during his visit to India. 

Qin mentioned that Chinese companies will establish businesses in the Hambantota investment zone, which is near the Chinese-funded Hambantota port. In 2017, Beijing secured a deal to lease Hambantota for a long period and create an industrial park around the port. According to Qin, China has already started getting ready to host Dissanayake on a future visit. Dissanayake's potential trip to China has not yet been scheduled.