Sri Lanka has asked China to indefinitely delay a visit by a ship reported by Indian media to be a spy vessel, following intense pressure by India, official sources said Saturday. The ship is described as a research and survey vessel, but according to an Indian media report, it is a dual-use spy ship, employed for space and satellite tracking and with specific usage in intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/sri-lanka-seeks-chinese-ship-delay-after-indian-pressure/articleshow/93390856.cms