Sri Lanka’s bid for the extension of its continental shelf beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone has hit a snag since India has also made overlapping claims prompting both the countries to seek bilateral engagement for the resolution of it, a top source said.
Sri Lanka submitted in May 2009 technical and scientific data and other information to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 nautical miles under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Afterwards, the Commission established a sub-commission to engage with Sri Lanka in 2016. Since then, the Sri Lankan delegation assigned to the task has held 11 rounds of talks. An informed source said Sri Lanka has successfully established the outer edge of its continental shelf to the satisfaction of the sub-commission. However, it is still pending approval by the UN Commission.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry secured Cabinet approval last year to set up the National Ocean Affairs Committee under the Ministry to work with this sub-commission.
However, India has also made overlapping claims in this regard. Minister Sabry is reported to have taken up the matter with Indian External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar during his latest visit to Sri Lanka. Dr. Jaishankar has reportedly promised to study it and look into it appropriately.
