In fact, Bai Zhizhan didn't delay for long in Sri Lanka.
By the time he returned to Colombo, on September 24, Li Mingbo led the 21st Special Mixed Fleet, which was now designated as the 11th Special Mixed Fleet.
In order to secure the number "eleven," the fleet did not stop while passing through the Lion Spring Strait and even rushed for 3 days during the voyage.
As a result, they only managed to pass through the Lion Spring Strait half a day ahead of Liu Xiangzhen's fleet and entered the Fan Flame Ocean.
Since the deep water pier at Trincomalee was not yet operational, the 11th Special Mixed Fleet could only dock at Colombo.
Historically, Colombo has always been a military port of the Empire's Navy.
Initially, when Chen Bingxun led his fleet to march into the Fan Flame Ocean, the first port captured after forcing the Lion Spring City defenders to surrender was Colombo.
As mentioned before, the Bulan Royal Navy used Trincomalee as its home port.
