The government, in its submission, said it held talks with India concerning its sea bed claim.

The government also said there was no dispute relating to the submission and that Sri Lanka has no pending maritime boundary disputes with neighbouring states.

The submission said Sri Lanka's continental margin displays the special geological and morphological characteristics described in the 'Statement of Understanding' of the UN Commission under which the claim is made.

This refers to the fact that Sri Lanka's continental margin is characterised by a very narrow shelf, a very steep slope and an extensive rise.

Sri Lanka had requested the UN to consider these disadvantages in its claim for sovereignty over the seabed in the early stages of the talks under the UN Law of the Sea Convention.

As a result, the Statement of Understanding prescribed a specific method for Sri Lanka to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf.

This is based on straight lines not exceeding 60 nautical miles in length connecting fixed points, defined by latitude and longitude, at each of which the thickness of sedimentary rocks is not less than one kilometre.

Sri Lanka made the claim after a geophysical survey of the sea floor to demarcate the outer margin of the island's continental shelf.

A seismic survey of the sea bed was commissioned by the government in 2007 to identify the one kilometre sediment thickness contour to back its claim under UN law.

The claim, if successful, would give Sri Lanka control over potential hydrocarbon and mineral deposits on the seabed.