Archives
Prevention of Terrorism Act; Striking a Balance between Conflicting Interests
Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) came into effect in 1979 as a temporary measure during the conflict with The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and it was later made permanent in 1982. Since the enactment of the PTA, it was criticized as a brutal piece of legislation. The criticism of PTA is not only by locals but also by other nations. The Act has both strengths and weaknesses. The challenge concerning the PTA is to balance individual rights and national security interests meanwhile adhering to international standards.
Quashing the Inner Demons by Embracing Peace
Sri Lanka is a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-religious nation strategically located in the Indian Ocean; she is of high economic value as well as rich in culture. Due to the diversity in composition, any country becomes vulnerable to threats, which are internal as well as external. Therefore, the government is duty-bound to combat national security threats and ensure peace and stability in the nation. However, the element of diversity can also be equipped to reign the country in the international arena. By boosting the economy, promoting peace and reconciliation, eliminating the roots of violence and extremism. Sri Lanka endured a three-decade war with one of the world's notorious terrorist organizations known as The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which is proscribed by many nations. The article assesses the post-war context in Sri Lanka's peacebuilding process, stratagems that were taken to ensure peace and measures that can be taken to foster peace.
Countering the False Claims by LTTE
Charani Patabendige is an Honorary Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of National Security Studies, the think tank for Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka, she holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with a second class and an Advanced Diploma in Transitional Justice from Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies with a Distinction Pass.
Army constructs house for widowed family
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continuing its social welfare oriented work vested a newly constructed house to a needy family in Matale recently.
Military nabs over 325 kilos of Cannabis
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Sri Lanka Police nabbed about 183 kilos and 715 grams Kerala cannabis haul during a special raid carried out at the Murungan, Panniwettuwan roadblock in Mannar recently.
Defence Cooperation
Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd.) officially received a consignment of 300,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine meant for Sri Lankan Armed Forces from the Chinese Defence Attaché in Sri Lanka Senior Colonel Wan Dong at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), last week.
Anti-drugs Operations
The Sri Lanka (SL) Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Police Narcotic Bureau conducted anti-drugs operations last week and arrested a total of 28 persons including drug peddlers, following effective interoperability among the security services and the Police.
Arrested Arms and Ammunitions
The Sri Lanka (SL) Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and STF were on alert on illegal weapons and ammunition during the past week. Operations in search of illegal firearms were underway in keeping with the government's vision to curb underworld activities.
Pandemic Control Operations
Tri-Forces and Police are conducting operations to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the island by untiringly engaging in identifying the virus hit patients and sending their close contacts for quarantine to the Tri-Forces managed quarantine centres established around the country.
Defence Secretary reviews Sandahiru Seya project
Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) arriving at the Sandahiru Seya construction site in Anuradhapura reviewed the progress of scheduled work of various related projects today (Aug 29).
SLAF hands over another HHOT unit to Galgamuwa Ranaviru Upahara Base Hospital
Continuing its social healthcare oriented work, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) handed over another Heated Humidified Oxygen Therapy Unit (HHOT) to Ranaviru Upahara Base Hospital, Galgamuwa yesterday (Aug 28).
Tamil, Muslim & Sinhala Recruits Jointly Pass out as Professional Soldiers
Three hundred and forty (340) recruits who received training at the Battalion Training School (BTS) in Vidaththalpalai, Jaffna passed out on Thursday (26) during a simple ceremony upon successful completion of their four-month long basic training.
More than 22 million vaccine doses received
The vaccination programme throughout the country has been expedited with the availability of ample stocks of various vaccines. The total number of all COVID-19 vaccine doses brought to the country so far for the immunisation programme exceeds 20 million, according to Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana.
Defence Secretary received 300,000 Sinopharm vaccine doses from China at BIA
Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd.) officially received a consignment of 300,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine meant for Sri Lankan Armed Forces from the Chinese Defence Attaché in Sri Lanka Senior Colonel Wan Dong at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake today (28 Aug).
Over 1500kg of smuggled dried turmeric stock and 05 suspects held in
separate operations
Special operations conducted by the Navy in Pichchanikulam area, Silawathura and on Ippanthivu Island in Kalpitiya this morning (27th August 2021) made way to the recovery of about 1599kg of dried turmeric hidden away by smugglers. The operations also led to the apprehension of 05 suspects and a cab in connection to one of the above incidents.
Navy apprehends a suspect with over 9100kg illegal store of sea cucumber in Mannar
A special operation conducted by the Navy in Irukkulampiddi, Mannar on 25th August 2021, led to the seizure of about 9170kg of sea cucumber, stored in violation of licence condition, and apprehension of a suspect in connection to the incident.
Army expands wards facilities at Colombo South Hospital
Sri Lanka Army completed the establishment of three more new wards with 250 beds at Colombo South Teaching Hospital following the Presidential directives and vested in health authorities yesterday (August 26).
SLN foils Rs. 41 million worth cannabis racket
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) nabbed 139 kilos and 930 grams of cannabis worth Rs. 41 million along with two suspects and a dinghy at the seas off Manalkadu in Point Pedro today (Aug 26).
SL military to receive 300,000 Sinopharm vaccine from
People's Republic of China
Following a request made by the Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd.) to the Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe, during his official visit to Sri Lanka in April this year, the Ministry of National Defence of the People's Republic of China (PRC) will donate 300,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine on Saturday (28 Aug).
SLN nabs over 1377 kilos of smuggled dried turmeric
Special operations conducted by the Navy at the beach of Arippu in Mannar and lagoon area of Kalpitiya on 22nd, 23rd and 24th August 2021 led to the recovery of about 1377kg of dried turmeric attempted to be smuggled in.
Army expands mobile vaccination drive
Sri Lanka Army's (SLA) mobile vaccination drive commenced from Jaffna a few days ago has received high praise from the jab recipients.
Army Quarantine Centres – A Home Away From Home
The word ‘Quarantine’ became familiar in Sri Lanka after the COVID19 pandemic. It has however, a long history around the globe during various time periods with the emergence of various different diseases reported.
SLAF hands over HHOT unit to Kalutara Hospital
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) handed over a ‘Heated Humidified Oxygen Therapy Unit’ (HHOT) manufactured by SLAF to Kalutara District General Hospital yesterday (Aug 23).
New Zealand HC meets Director General of SLCG
The New Zealand High Commissioner (HC) to Sri Lanka His Excellency Michael Edward Appleton paid a courtesy call on the Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Anura Ekanayake recently, at the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) Headquarters.
KDU Hospital commences Cochlear Implantation
The ENT Department of the Kotelawala Defence University Hospital (KDUH) commenced the Cochlear Implantation program recently.