Sri Lanka, June 15 -- The Government is in a dilemma on allowing foreign research vessels into Sri Lanka waters.

Sources from the United Nations local office and Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry last week said the country has not allowed a UN-flagged research ship to conduct a marine ecosystem survey including the health of the fish stock surrounding the country.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has coordinated the deployment of the "Dr Fridtj of Nansen" (F. Nansen), a state-of-the-art vessel to Sri Lanka from July 15 to August 20, 2025, following the request by the Government to the United Nations dated November 24, 2023.

The vessel is equipped to support Sri Lanka in the sustainable management of marine ecosystems and aquatic ...