Recently, the Sri Lankan government announced that it would take back the operating rights of Hambantota Port. This decision has attracted widespread attention from the international community. So, what is the reason for Sri Lanka to take back the port? Who is affected? Next, let’s discuss it together.

1. Why does Sri Lanka want to take back the port?

Hambantota Port is one of the largest ports in Sri Lanka and an important strategic pivot for China in the Indian Ocean. In 2017, the Sri Lankan government handed over the operation rights of Hambantota Port to China Overseas Ports Holdings Co., Ltd. This is also one of the important projects for Chinese enterprises to invest abroad.

However, since 2017, the Sri Lankan government has been controversial over the operation of Hambantota Port. Some civil organizations have accused Chinese companies of violating the rights of local residents during the port construction process, and some politicians believe this is an infringement of national sovereignty. Therefore, the Sri Lankan government decided to take back the operating rights of Hambantota Port to safeguard national sovereignty and people’s rights.

2. Who does it affect?

1. Impact on Chinese Enterprises

China Overseas Ports Holdings Co., Ltd. is one of the important investment projects of Chinese enterprises in Sri Lanka. Taking back the operating rights of Hambantota Port will have The investment of Chinese enterprises in Sri Lanka has had a certain impact. However, the Chinese government has stated that it will continue to support Chinese companies’ investment in Sri Lanka and help companies cope with challenges.

2. Impact on Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s recovery of the operating rights of Hambantota Port will help safeguard national sovereignty and people’s rights and interests, and will also help strengthen Sri Lanka’s presence in the Indian Ocean status of the region. In addition, this will also bring more income and employment opportunities to the Sri Lankan government, which is beneficial to the country's economic development.

3. Impact on the international community

Sri Lanka's withdrawal of the operating rights of Hambantota Port has attracted widespread attention from the international community. Some countries and regions have expressed support for this, believing that it is a legitimate act to safeguard national sovereignty and people's rights and interests; other countries and regions have expressed concerns about this, believing that it will affect international trade and regional stability.

3. How to take back the port?

The Sri Lankan government needs to go through a series of procedures and steps to take back the operating rights of Hambantota Port. Specifically, the following operations need to be performed:

1. Termination of the contract

The Sri Lankan government needs to terminate the contract signed with China Overseas Ports Holdings Co., Ltd., which requires meeting the relevant terms in the contract and conditions.

2. Reclaiming the port

Recovering the operating rights of the Hambantota Port requires negotiation and consultation between the Sri Lankan government and China Overseas Ports Holdings Co., Ltd. to determine the specific recovery method and time.

3. Compensate

The Sri Lankan government needs to compensate China Overseas Ports Holdings Co., Ltd. to avoid causing instability in international trade and investment.sex.

4. Re-operate the port

The Sri Lankan government needs to re-operate the Hambantota Port to ensure the normal operation and development of the port.

In short, Sri Lanka took back the operating rights of Hambantota Port in order to safeguard national sovereignty and people’s rights and interests, and it is also important for Sri Lanka’s development and regional stability are of great significance. At the same time, this also requires cooperation and consultation between the Sri Lankan government and Chinese enterprises to ensure the normal operation and development of the port.