Defence Secretary News
Defence Secretary assures to complete reconstruction work of St. Anthony’s Shrine soon
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, who visited the St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, today (July 1), has taken swift measures to strengthen security and also assured to complete the balance reconstruction work of the Shrine, which was badly damaged due to the Easter Sunday bomb attack, soon.
Defence Secretary praises Met Dept. for accurate weather forecast than earlier
The Meteorology Department is to get new equipment, analytical software and systems for accurate weather forecasts soon, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Sri Lanka will be a just and safe country for all communities to live - Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne assured to form a society free of drugs menace, underworld activities, organized crimes and extortion for all communities to live in a just and safe country in the future.
Police acted on court orders and quarantine law to disperse protesters - Defence Secretary
Police, which had taken the protesters of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) into custody, had acted on a court order and also under the provisions of the quarantine law which was strictly enforced to contain the spread of coronavirus, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Japanese Govt. praises Sri Lankan military’s role in combating coronavirus
The Japanese Government has commended the role of the military and Police in supporting the health authorities to combat coronavirus in the country.
Military and Police proved their professionalism and expertise in handling coronavirus mitigation – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Tri-Forces and Police had proved their professionalism and expertise by supporting the Government efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
No decision to declare complete lockdown – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen.(Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said considering the present situation related to COVID-19 in the country, the government had not taken a decision to announce a complete lockdown during the next week.
Defence Ministry urges public to heed to curfew law
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Government was re-imposing islandwide curfew to restrict public movements and also gatherings to keep spreading of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at bay to ensure public safety and health.
Defence Ministry calls for more public support to fight against COVID-19
While strictly warning rumour mongers to avoid making misleading statements using the cyber space to create unnecessary tension among people over the Government’s efforts to mitigate coronavirus or COVID – 19, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne has requested all Sri Lankans, including those who are living abroad, to support Government’s efforts to contain coronavirus outbreak by being indoors and following the advices given by the Health and Defence ministries.
Commitment of military medics to fight against coronavirus commendable - Defence Secretary
Commending the utmost dedication and fearlessness coupled with true Sri Lankan spirit of the medical teams of the Tri-Forces to control coronavirus, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the military was the first respondents at any disaster situation.
Govt. is fully geared to face coronavirus – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the government was fully geared to ensure the protection of country’s 21.4 million population from coronavirus or COVID -19, today.
Defence Ministry launches first War Veterans’ mobile service from Kalutara
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen.Kamal Gunaratne said the Government, which was committed to look after war –heroes, would revise the existing provisions through a new Cabinet paper to solve anomalies in pension and allowances for fallen and disabled war heroes and their families.
Govt. well geared and focused to face radicalisation, religious extremism and other future threats - Defence Secretary
Attributing radicalisation, re-emergence of terrorism, separatism, religious extremism, organised crimes, drug trafficking and internal disturbances like strikes to main challenges, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Government was well geared and in full focus to ensure country’s national security.
Over 200,000 security forces personnel to get ‘Virusara’ privilege cards
The Defence Ministry has decided to issue ‘Virusara Privilege Cards’ (VPCs) to over 200,000 security forces personnel, including families of fallen war heroes and disabled soldiers to provide them discounts from public and private sector institutions.
Defense Ministry to expedite ‘Virusumithuru’ housing project for families of fallen and disabled soldiers
The Defence Ministry is to expedite the ‘Virusumithuru' housing project, which has been designed to address the housing needs of families of fallen and disabled soldiers.
LTTE terrorism defeated militarily but few Tamil politicians still propagate its ideology – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said although the Sri Lankan military had completely defeated LTTE terrorism militarily 10-years ago, the challenge of defeating its separatist ideology still remained as some Tamil politicians were attempting to propagate it in the minds of Tamil people.
Task Force set up to expedite CID probe into Easter Sunday terrorist attacks
The Defence Ministry has established a Task Force (TF) to monitor the progress to speed up the on-going investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into last year’s Easter Sunday serial terrorist attacks in the country, which had claimed more than 250 lives.
Defence Ministry strongly denies allegations by HRW on keeping missing person’s families on its radar
The Defence Ministry vehemently denies the accusations by the Human Rights Watch (HRW), which claimed that families of enforced disappearance and activists supporting them are under the microscope of the Sri Lankan Security Forces and intelligence agencies.
Sri Lanka needs a disciplined and professional Police force - Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne emphasised the need of a disciplined and professional Police force to maintain peace, law and order in the country.
Turkey looks forward in sharing SL’s experiences in countering terrorism
Turkey looks forward in sharing Sri Lanka’s experiences in combating terrorism and enhancing intelligence sharing in a combined effort to combat violent fundamental extremism.
Afghanistan to support Sri Lanka in anti-drug trafficking
Afghanistan Ambassador to Sri Lanka M. Asharf Haidari pledged that Afghanistan would provide its assistance to Sri Lanka in countering drug trafficking in the South Asian region.
Defence Secretary pledges not to leave space for terrorism
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne assured not to leave space for terrorism to destabilise country’s peace in future under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Ranaviru Sewa Authority to be upgraded to a ‘one-stop-shop’
Says providing services for war hero and disables soldiers will be extended to districts.
Israel offers assistance to improve Sri Lanka’s digitisation process
Israel is willing to assist Sri Lanka to digitalise its state sector while strengthening military ties, sharing intelligence and offer more training opportunities for Sri Lanka Police and Tri Forces personnel.
Defence Secretary meets with Indian Defence heads during “DEFEXPO-20” in India
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne arrived in India on an invitation by that country to attend the 11th ‘DEFEXPO-2020’, in Lucknow.