Which nation just announced a one-year ban on foreign research ships visiting its territorial seas?

The official justification given by Sri Lanka for the one-year ban on foreign research ships entering its waters was capacity building. This move is thought to be a reaction to India's concerns about Chinese research vessels making port calls in the area. According to Niluka Kadurugamuwa, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, the moratorium is applicable to all nations and is intended to give local researchers time to develop the capacity for collaborative research. The background is one of shifting geopolitical dynamics in the area, especially in light of China's efforts to increase its sway in Sri Lanka, which is situated along one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Amidst diplomatic maneuvers and strategic concerns in the Indian Ocean region, the moratorium has been implemented.