News

China and India to send troops to Russia for joint military exercises

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/19

Chinese troops will travel to Russia to take part in joint military exercises that will start at the end of the month, Beijing’s defence ministry has said.Last month, Moscow announced plans to hold “Vostok” (East) military drills from August 30 to September 5, saying some foreign forces would also take part without naming them.

Beijing and Moscow have close defence links and China has said it wants to push bilateral relations “to a higher level,” even as Moscow faces international sanctions and widespread condemnation over its February 24 invasion of Ukraine.

“The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries, enhance the level of strategic collaboration among the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats,” the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement.

India, Belarus, Mongolia, Tajikistan and other countries will also participate, it said.

Relations between Russia and China have grown increasingly close under Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and Beijing has been under pressure for its opposition to sanctions imposed by many Western countries over the war. Shortly before the invasion, Moscow and Beijing agreed on a “no limits” partnership.Beijing said its decision to participate in the joint exercises was “unrelated to the current international and regional situation”.

A year ago this month, Russia and China held joint military exercises in north-central China involving more than 10,000 troops. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu praised the drills in China’s Ningxia and suggested they could be developed further.In October, Russia and China held joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan. Days later, Russian and Chinese warships held their first joint patrols in the western Pacific.

The following month, South Korea’s military said it had scrambled fighter jets after two Chinese and seven Russian warplanes intruded into its air defence identification zone during what Beijing called regular training.The Vostok drills are the second joint military exercise conducted by Chinese and Russian troops this year.

Bombers from the two countries conducted a 13-hour drill close to Japan and South Korea in May, forcing those countries to scramble jet fighters, as United States President Joe Biden was visiting Tokyo.

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that while warming ties between China and Russia undermined global security, Washington did not “read anything” into the drills.

“Most of the participating countries also routinely participate in a wide array of military exercises and exchanges with the United States as well,” he told a press conference.

Russia’s eastern military district includes part of Siberia and has its headquarters in Khabarovsk, near the Chinese border. Source: Al Jazeera

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 19 April 2026, valid for 20 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.