Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

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JMSDF Ships Arrive in Colombo on Goodwill Visit

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) vessels Bungo and Etajima arrived at the Port of Colombo on Tuesday (Apr 1) as part of a goodwill visit. The Sri Lanka Navy extended a warm welcome to the visiting ships, adhering to established naval traditions, Navy media says.


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Eid Mubarak

We wish all our Muslim viewers a happy 'Eid Ul Fitr' festival


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Deputy Minister of Defence Looks in to the Post-Defence Budget
Implementation Process

Following the approval of the defence budget on March 21, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), chaired a post-defence budget implementation meeting on Wednesday (Mar 26) at his office. The discussion aimed to align the execution of the budget with His Excellency the President’s vision and the national policy.


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Newly Appointed NCC Director Calls on Deputy Minister of Defence

The newly appointed Director of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Brigadier Rajitha Premathilake, met with Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at his office on Thursday (Mar 27).


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UN Resident Coordinator to Sri Lanka Meets Deputy Minister of Defence

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), held a meeting with the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, on Thursday (Mar 27) at his office in Colombo.


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British Defence Adviser to Sri Lanka Meets Deputy Minister of Defence

The British Defence Adviser (DA) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Colonel Darren Woods, met with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at his office in Colombo on Tuesday (Mar 25).


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Bangladesh High Commission Commemorates 54th Anniversary
of Independence and National Day

The High Commission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka celebrated the 54th Anniversary of Independence and National Day of Bangladesh with a grand event at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo on Wednesday (Mar 26).  


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Russian Ambassador meets Defence Secretary

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Colombo, His Excellency Levan S. Dzhagaryan met the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry in Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Mar 25).


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World Meteorological Day - 2025 Celebrated Under the Patronage of the
Deputy Minister of Defence

This year's World Meteorological Day, celebrated under the theme "Closing the Early Warning Gap, Together" was held today (Mar 25) at the Metrological Department in Colombo under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).


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Pakistan HC celebrates Pakistan National Day

The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sri Lanka marked Pakistan’s National Day with a grand celebration at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo on Monday (Mar 24).


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Info - NDRSC Launched

In a landmark event, the info-NDRSC Disaster Data System was launched on Tuesday (March 24) at the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd). This new facility will enable digitalizing the present routine process of collecting and releasing statistical data on families affected and damaged properties by natural disasters in the country.


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World Meteorological Day -2025

"Closing the Early Warning Gap, Together"

Early preparation and effective disaster mitigation help to save lives during weather related natural disasters.


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Newly Appointed Director of NCC Calls on Defence Secretary

Newly appointed Director of National Cadet Corps (NCC), Brigadier Rajitha Premathilake, called on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at his office at the Defence Ministry today (Mar 24).


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Newly Appointed Director General of CDRD calls on Defence Secretary

Commodore Janaka Gunaseela has been appointed as the 9th Director General of the Centre for Defence Research and Development (CDRD), affiliated with the Ministry of Defence.


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JMSDF MURASAME calls Port of Colombo

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME arrived at the Port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning (22 Mar 25). The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.


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Defence Ministry Reviews the Progress of On-going Clean Sri Lanka Initiatives

As instructed by the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), a special session was conducted in order to review the progress of ongoing Clean Sri Lanka initiatives implemented in the ministerial level at the Ministry auditorium today (Mar 21).


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Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Calls on Deputy Minister of Defence

Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel Paparo called on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) today (Mar 20) at the Deputy Minister's office.


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Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Meets Defence Secretary

Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel Paparo, called on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (Mar 20).


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French Joint Commander in the Indian Ocean Calls on the Defence Secretary

The Joint Commander of the French Forces deployed in the Indian Ocean, Rear Admiral Hugues Laine called on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte on Wednesday (Mar 19).


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New Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Administration) at KDU Assumes Duties

Brigadier RKARP Ratnayake RSP USP psc officially assumed duties as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Administration) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on March 14 (2025).


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Contribution of the Civil Security Department to Food Security in Sri Lanka

The Civil Security Department (CSD) plays a vital role in the country's economic development by implementing agricultural projects aimed at ensuring food security in Sri Lanka.


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High Commissioner of Maldives calls on Deputy Minister of Defence

High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Masood Imad, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) on Tuesday (Mar 18) at the Deputy Minister's office.


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Russian Ambassador Meets Deputy Minister of Defence

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Colombo, His Excellency Levan S. Dzhagaryan paid a courtesy visit to Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Deputy Minister of Defence, on Tuesday (Mar 18) at the Deputy Minister's office.


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Navy earns high accolades as Kachchativu feast concludes on high note

The annual feast of St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kachchativu, held on 14 and 15 Mar 25, was a vibrant celebration of faith and unity, drawing a large number of devotees from across India and Sri Lanka. The event saw the main mass led by prominent clergy, including the Bishop of Sivagangai Diocese in India, Rt. Revd. Dr. Lourdu Ananthan, Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese, Very Revd. Fr. P. J. Jebaratnam, Revd. Fr. Ciswan de Croos from Colombo Arch Diocese, Parish Priest of Rameswaram in India, Revd. Fr. Ashok and Parish Priest in Delft, Revd. Fr. P. Pathinathan. Organized by the Bishop of Jaffna Diocese, Rt. Revd. Justin Gnanapragasam and Jaffna District Secretary, Mr. Maruthalingam Piiratheepan, the festival was a testament to cross-border spiritual camaraderie. The Sri Lanka Navy, which received high praise from all communities present at the annual festival, played a pivotal role, lending its technical expertise and manpower to ensure seamless arrangements.


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SLAF and Sri Lankan Airlines sign Landmark Training Agreement

The SLAF and SriLankan Airlines Limited have entered into a partnership today (18 March 2025) by signing an agreement aimed at enhancing aviation training services. The agreement was signed at Air Force Headquarters, marking a significant step in strengthening collaboration between the two organizations.