Sri Lanka is an important fulcrum country for maritime shipping lines and maritime trade and has an excellent geographical location. With the funding of the China Oceanic Development Foundation, the Island Research Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources undertook the Sri Lanka Marine Spatial Planning and Research Project. The project plans to analyze the spatial distribution and development trend of Sri Lanka's socio-economic development, delineate suitable marine functional zones, promote the development of Sri Lanka's marine economy, and form a stable cooperative relationship with Sri Lanka.

At present, the Island Research Center of MNR has established a cooperative relationship with the Coastal Conservation Department of the Ministry of Development and Environment, Mahaweli, Sri Lanka and planned the Trincomalee sea area on the eastern peninsula of Sri Lanka as a planning area. This area is the main port area of Sri Lanka and a well-known leisure resort area, which has certain requirements for economic development and spatial planning.