CSL-CER develops disaster forecast system

The China Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research (CSL-CER) in University of Ruhuna (UoR), based on combined efforts of Chinese and Sri Lankan scientists, has developed the ‘Sri Lanka and Surrounding Waters Marine Meteorological Disaster Forecast System’.

This is in an effort at disaster prevention and impact reduction from oceanic and atmospheric hazards in Sri Lanka.

Based on observation data and ocean modelling, it provides daily forecasts of marine weather conditions in the vicinity of Sri Lanka where the center’s official website updates its forecast results in real time.

The CSL-CER, which was set forth under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI), supports the Marine Environment Science Master Programme in Sri Lanka, offering scholarships including Belt and Road Scholarship and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Scholarship to support talented local youth seeking higher education opportunities.

The center offers annual shortterm research grants since 2020 for joint research between countries, and annual workshops to bring scientists on oceanology, climate change, environmental science etc to discuss, disseminate and share research experiences.

The aim is to collaborate on addressing global challenges, promoting cooperative projects in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, benefit from marine resources, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

The cooperation plans to expand its scope to include more disciplines and collaborative partners, with new agreements being signed.

To expand regional scientific cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, the center aims to attract scientists from more nations for collaborative research.