News
Strengthening institutional frameworks alone is not sufficient for disaster management:
mechanisms must be established to implement solutions at the ground level
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that simply reinforcing institutional frameworks is insufficient for effective disaster management. The President stressed the need to establish mechanisms to deliver practical solutions at the grassroots level.
SLAF and Montana National Guard successfully conclude
CBRN response and EOD expert exchange programme
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and Montana National Guard successfully concluded a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Response, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Maritime Port Recovery at SLAF Base Katunayake from November 18 to 22, SLAF media says.
The SL Navy assists the Maldivian Coast Guard in seizing an SL fishing trawler carrying crystal methamphetamine and cocaine
A joint intelligence-sharing operation between the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and the Maldivian Coast Guard led to the interception of a Sri Lankan fishing trawler carrying 344 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 124 kg of cocaine in the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on November 23, SLN media says.
President Joins Armed Forces Remembrance Day 2024 and Poppy Flower Ceremony
The main commemoration ceremony of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day - 2024 and Poppy flower celebration was held today (24) under the patronage of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The event took place at the Cenotaph War Memorial of the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo.
Birthday Wishes
Your Excellency, On this special day, we extend our heartfelt birthday wishes to you.
Let Us Work Together with One Goal to Build a Better Nation
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called upon all public officials to unite with a common purpose and work together to transform the motherland into a better nation.
Annual ‘Poppy Day’ ceremony to be held on 24 November
under the patronage of the President
The annual ‘Poppy Day’ ceremony, organized by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA) and its Armed Forces Commemorative Poppy Committee, is to be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake with the participation of distinguished guests at the Cenotaph in Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, on November 24.
Navy’s CBRN Unit conducts joint exercise at Colombo harbour
The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) conducted a joint CBRN exercise at the Port of Colombo on Tuesday, November 19 to enhance the knowledge and awareness of participants in the on-going Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) program involving the Montana National Guard, the United States Coast Guard (District 13), and the Sri Lanka Air Force, the SLN media reports.
IOM Chief of Mission meets Defence Secretary
The Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Ms. Kristin B. Parco, made a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, today (Nov 20).
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) reappointed
as Secretary to the Ministry of Defence
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) has been reappointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (Nov 19).
Our challenges demand leaders who can think beyond conventional
military paradigms – Defence Secretary
“We live in an era where traditional military challenges intersect with cyber security threats, climate change implications, economic security and information warfare. The Indian Ocean Region, our periphery, stands at the crossroads of global maritime commerce and strategic competition. Our challenges demand leaders who can think beyond conventional military paradigms and understand the multidimensional nature of modern security challenges.
JMSDF SAMIDARE arrives at the Port of Colombo
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ship SAMIDARE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (Nov 17).
AFESA delegation meets Defence Secretary
A delegation of the Sri Lanka Air Force Ex-Servicemen’s Association (AFESA) Executive Committee, met the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry today (Nov 13).
Director of COSATT meets Defence Secretary
Director of the Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT), Dr. Nishchal N. Pandey, met the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, today (Nov 13).
PRESS RELEASE
The Ministry of Defence has observed that the Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lanka Army have issued a significant number of pistols, revolvers and other firearms for the protection of Members of Parliament, Provincial Council members, political party leaders and political organizations as well as officers who held executive appointments in the government.
Book Launch and Discussion on South Asian Labour Migration
Issues and Concerns Held at Hilton Hotel, Colombo
The book “Labour Migrants from South Asia: Issues and Concerns" was officially launched today (Nov 12) at the Hilton Colombo with Mr. Sumith Nakandala, with former Secretary of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) gracing as the Chief Guest and Western Provincial Council Chief Secretary Ms. Dammika K Wijesinghe attended as the Guest of Honour of the event.
SL Coast Guard hosts the 7th High-Level Meeting with
Indian Coast Guard
Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) hosted the 7th annual High-Level Meeting (HLM) with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Colombo on Monday (Nov 11).
PRESS RELEASE
The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued warnings to the public on several occasions regarding an increase in various forms of recruitment to cyber scam centers in Myanmar.
Passing out Parade of Hermann Loos & De Soysa Challenge
Trophies held at Rantambe
The Passing out Parade of the Hermann Loos and De Soysa Challenge Trophies 2024 was held at the NCC Training Centre, Rantambe, on Sunday, Nov 10.
‘INS Vela’ arrives on a formal visit to Colombo
Indian Navy submarine INS Vela arrived at the port of Colombo on Sunday (Nov 10) on a formal visit.
Defence Secretary reviews the security of Arugam Bay
Defence Secretary visited the Eastern Province, focussing specifically on the security situation in the Arugam Bay area today (Nov 10).
Defence Secretary reviews progress of Neelagiri Stupa
reconstruction work
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) made an observation visit today (Nov. 10) to inspect the restoration work of the historic Neelagiri Stupa, which is considered to be the largest in the Eastern Province located in the Lahugala forest reserve.
Defence Secretary reviewed the progress of Deegawapiya
Stupa Restoration Project
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), the Defence Secretary as the Author of the Deegawapiya Aruna Trust and First Trustee, engaged in a field study tour at the historic Deegawapiya Stupa premises at Ampara on Saturday (Nov 09), to review the progress of Stupa Restoration Project.
Army installs RO water treatment plant in Batticaloa School
SL Army troops of the 12 Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) installed a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant at BT/KK Kudimbimalei Kumaran Vidyalaya in Batticaloa, Army media says.
Coast Guard DG pays Courtesy call on Defence Secretary
The Director General (DG) of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG), Rear Admiral Rajapriya Serasinghe, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Ministry at Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, on Thursday (Nov 07).