News
PRESS RELEASE
A decision has been taken to take over all firearms issued for personal protection to civilians by the Ministry of Defence. This decision was in accordance to the powers vested to the Defence Secretary under Sections 6(1) and 6(2) of the Firearms Ordinance Act No. 33 of 1916, to take over firearms on temporary basis to the government. Further, this decision is taken subjected to reissue them after a review process.
NCC School Cadet Band Challenge Trophy Camp 2024 held
The All Island Western Cadet Band Challenge Trophy Camp 2024 of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) was held at the NCC Training Centre in Rantambe, recently (Oct 2).
New Military Liaison Officer of MOD assumes office
The newly appointed Military Liaison Officer (MLO) of the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal PN De Costa USP ndc MBA in HRM MHRM, assumed duties at the auspicious time today (Oct 4).
Sri Lanka Navy to assume command of Combined Task Force 154
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) is set to assume command of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a unit under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the world’s largest maritime coalition, based in Bahrain.
Bangladesh DA calls on Defence Secretary
Defence Advisor (DA) of the Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo, Commodore M Moniruzzaman paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Oct 03).
KDU VC calls on Defence Secretary
The Vice Chancellor (VC) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara made a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Oct 03).
CDS, Tri Forces Commanders and Acting IGP pay courtesy
calls on Defence Secretary
The Chief of Defence Staff, tri forces commanders and the Acting IGP made courtesy calls on Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) today (Oct 02).
US Defence Attaché calls on Defence Secretary
The Defence Attaché at the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Nelson paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Oct 02).
Pakistan High Commissioner calls on the Defence Secretary
The High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka H.E. Major General Faheem-Ul-Aziz (Retd), paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Oct 01).
World Children's Day
Let's raise public awareness about rights of children and their welfare
New Defence Secretary pays homage to sacred relics
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) visited the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy to pay homage to the sacred relics on Saturday (Sep 28, 2024). The Defence Secretary was received by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa, Nilanga Dela and was accompanied to the inner chamber for religious observances.
Clarification on paying of Motivation Incentive Allowance to tri forces personnel
Clarification on paying of Motivation Incentive Allowance to tri forces personnel
It has been noted that some media and social media platforms have reported that the motivation incentive allowance paid to tri forces personnel attached to VIP security details have been stopped.
17th KDU International Research Conference begins
The 17th International Research Conference (IRC) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) commenced at the KDU auditorium today (Sep 26).
Defence Secretary attends 75th anniversary ceremony of the founding of
the People's Republic of China
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) attended the 75th anniversary ceremony of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Shangri La Hotel in Colombo last evening (Sep 25). Minister Hon. Vijitha Herath graced the ceremony as the chief guest.
SL Navy assists distressed Indian fishing trawler in Sri Lankan waters
An Indian fishing trawler that had drifted into Sri Lankan waters due to a mechanical failure was provided assistance by the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard to return home after carrying out necessary repairs.
SL Air Force Judokas shine at Thailand International Judo Championship - 2024
Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Judokas representing the country at the Thailand International Judo Championship - 2024 won a gold and a silver medal. Air Force Sergeant Darmawardana won gold in the under 73kg weight category while Corporal Abeysinghe won silver in the under 100kg weight category, says SLAF media sources.
H.S. Sampath Thuyacontha appointed as the
new Secretary of the Ministry of Defence
Mr. H.S. Sampath Thuyacontha, a retired Air Vice Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
Together, Let’s Build Our Nation
Honourable Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as the 9th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka today (23).
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) assumed
duty as new Defence Secretary
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) WWV, RWP and two bars, RSP and bar, USP, MMSc (Strat Stu- China), MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MSc (Def & Strat Stu), fndu (China), psc has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Defence by His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The International Day of Peace
Cultivating a Culture of Peace
Defence Secretary graces ''Sirima Miyurasi - 2024''
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne graced the "Sirima Miyurasi - 2024" concert as the chief guest. The event, presented by the students of Sirimavo Bandaranaike College, Colombo was held on Thursday (Sep 19) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).
Navy assists transfer of injured fisherman rescued through
coordination of MRCC Colombo
The Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to bring ashore an injured fisherman, who was aboard a local multi day fishing trawler on the high seas south of Sri Lanka. Initially, the fisherman was retrieved by a Merchant Vessel in the sea area, on being coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. After being brought ashore today (18th September 2024), he was rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo, for medical attention.
Army’s new Chief of Staff calls on Defence Secretary
The newly-appointed Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General Dinesh Nanayakkara, called on the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, at the Defence Ministry in the Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (18 Sep).
Colonel Nalin Herath speaks at Bodh Gaya-Nalanda Initiative on
Shared Values and Futures in India
The Synergia Foundation, in partnership with Nalanda University, successfully hosted the inaugural Bodh Gaya-Nalanda Initiative on Shared Values, Shared Culture, and Futures from September 12th to 14th, 2024. This landmark event was held in India's two highly symbolic locations-Bodh Gaya, where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment, and Nalanda University, the ancient global centre of learning and spiritual wisdom.
Civil Security Department celebrates its 18th anniversary
The Civil Security Department (CSD) celebrated its 18th anniversary recently. A special anniversary ceremony was held under the patronage of Director General (DG) of the CSD Air Vice Marshal Roshan Biyanwila (Retd), at the CSD Headquarters in Colombo, last Friday (Sep 13).