China, Sri Lanka hold drill to enhance anti-terror skills

China and Sri Lanka have held a joint drill at a comprehensive military training base in southern China to enhance their capabilities, specially in combating terror.

The Chinese People’s Armed Police Force (APF) and the Sri Lankan Army held the drill code-named ‘Silk Road Cooperation - 2015’ in Guangzhou.

The joint drill was aimed at helping both sides to learn from each other, so as to improve their capabilities of performing duties, the Chinese state-run Military Online News reported.

The focus of the drill held on March 29 was on developing anti-terrorist skills and tactical trainings.

The anti-terrorist skills highlight skills of shooting, capturing, and climbing.

The tactical trainings mainly comprise operations of searching blocks, rescuing hostages, as well as anti-hijacking aircraft and buses, said Su Haihui, deputy director of the Training Department of the Chinese APF.

The second phase of the drill between China and Sri Lanka is expected to be held in June this year.

China will send several special operation teams to Sri Lanka to take part in the second phase of the joint drill, the report said.

Sri Lanka under former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime has endorsed China sponsored Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) initiative for which USD 1.5 billion Colombo Port City project was to provide a key base in the Indian Ocean.

The new government headed by Maithripala Sirisena has kept the project under suspension over concerns relating to environmental clearance and heavy interests rates charged over the loans provided for the Chinese projects. - PTI