News
Press conference held to raise awareness on the disaster situation caused
by the prevailing weather in the island
Government has approved an increase in the compensation for loss of life due to disasters, from 250,000 to 1 million rupees.
World Bank delegation meets Deputy Minister of Defence
to discuss the CResMPA project
A delegation of the World Bank’s management headed by the Regional Country Director (Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka), Mr. David Sislen, met the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), on Monday (Jan 20) at his office in Colombo.
Defence Ministry Supports War Veterans and Families on Public Day
The Ministry of Defence hosted its Public Day program at the Ministry premises, led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) on January 10, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of war veterans and the families of fallen heroes. The initiative, aligned with the directives of H.E. the President and Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence, provided essential support to retired, disabled veterans, and families of the fallen.
Sri Lankan and Maldivian Coast Guards Strengthen
Oil Spill Response Capabilities
Ten (10) Sri Lankan officers, including nine (09) from the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG), successfully completed IMO Level 1 and Level 2 training alongside participants from the Maldives Coast Guard and the Maldives Environment Protection Agency. The comprehensive training program, organized by Ambipar in collaboration with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and funded by the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP), SLCG media says.
Rainy weather to continue - Met Department
The Meteorology Department in its latest forecast issued today (Jan 20) morning says the prevailing rainy condition to continue further. It says showers or thundershowers will occur in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces. The island is experiencing widespread rains causing flooding in low lying areas of several rivers.
SLAF unveils Eagles’ Citadel golf course in Sigiriya to boost tourism
The Sri Lanka Air Force officially opened its newest golf course, the Eagles’ Citadel Golf Course, constructed to international standards, at SLAF Station Sigiriya today (17 January 2025). The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) and graced by the presence of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa.
Commander’s Cup - 2025 concludes at picturesque
Eagles Golf links in China Bay
The Sri Lanka Air Force and the Eagles’ Golf Links hosted the Commander’s Cup - 2025 Annual Golf Tournament, which was concluded today (18 January 2025) in the picturesque settings of China Bay, close to the harbour city of Trincomalee. This year’s tournament was powered by Dialog Enterprise as the Exclusive Main Sponsor which made it much more glamorous and memorable for the participants.
Navy stands ready with relief teams to respond flood emergency
As severe weather conditions threaten several areas in the island, the Sri Lanka Navy proactively deployed 02 relief teams on 15th January 2025, to the vulnerable area of Buddhangala in Padaviya, Anuradhapura. These teams are actively engaged in disaster relief operations, working tirelessly to provide necessary aid and support to affected communities.
Sri Lanka Army Troops Assist the Nationwide
Paddy Storage Cleaning Operations
Under the guidance of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake the ongoing "Clean Sri Lanka" National Programme is being conducted across the country. In parallel, the government is set to launch a programme to purchase paddy from the upcoming Maha season harvest. Following the procurement, the government has also planned to utilise 209 paddy storage facilities owned by the Paddy Marketing Board.
Acting Minister of Defence addresses Welfare issues of
Fallen War Heroes Families and Disabled Veterans
The Acting Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) chaired a meeting yesterday (Jan 17) to address the welfare issues of the families of fallen war heroes and disabled veterans.
Defence Secretary graces Air Force Passing Out ceremony
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) was the Chief Guest of the Air Force Passing Out ceremony held at the Air Force Academy in China Bay, Trincomalee, on Thursday (16 January). The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, received the Secretary upon his arrival at the venue.
'Engage in your national duty with strong self-discipline and true commitment'
- Acting Minister of Defence
‘To recover from the present crisis faced by the country, we should take up our duty with a strong sense of self-discipline and true commitment and must act with responsibility and accountability’ stated Acting Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) while speaking during his visit to the Army Hospital - Colombo, yesterday (Jan 16).
Tri-Forces assistance for Paddy purchasing during Maha season
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Ministry of Defence to take steps to develop necessary infrastructure facilities and provide technical assistance and labour support from the Tri-Forces to repair warehouses belonging to the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) and Sathosa to facilitate the purchasing of paddy in the upcoming Maha season.
Officials from Institute for Security Governance USA,
meets Sri Lankan Actg Minister of Defence
A high-level delegation from the Institute for Security Governance (ISG), USA, accompanied by representatives from the United States Embassy, met with the Acting Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) at his office in Colombo on Wednesday (Jan 15).
Defence Secretary meets with CSD officials in
addressing Human-Elephant Conflict
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyakontha (Retd) chaired a special discussion with senior Civil Security Department (CSD) officials at the Defence Ministry on Wednesday (Jan 15) on resolving the human-elephant conflict in the country.
UN Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka meets Acting Minister of Defence
Acting Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) held a meeting with the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche on Wednesday (Jan 15). The discussion took place at the Acting Minister's office in Colombo.
Officials from Institute for Security Governance,
USA meets with Defence Secretary
A high-level delegation from the Institute for Security Governance (ISG), USA, accompanied by representatives from the United States Embassy, met with Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte on Wednesday (Jan 15).
Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) Appointed as
Acting Minister of Defence
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake departed the country yesterday evening (Jan 13) for a four-day official visit to China.
Happy Thai Pongal !
May this Pongal bring joy, abundance, and blessing to every home.
Indian Defence Advisor Meets Deputy Minister of Defence
A meeting between the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and the Defence Advisor of the High Commission of India, Captain Anand Mukundan, along with Assistant Defence Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Mandeep Singh Negi, took place today (Jan 10) at the Deputy Minister’s office in Colombo.
Deputy Minister of Defence calls for a disciplined
approach to national development
The Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) visited the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in Ratmalana, yesterday (Jan 09). On his arrival at the university, the Deputy Minister was warmly welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of KDU, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.
New Army Commander Calls on the Defence Secretary
The newly appointed Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, called on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte, today (Jan 08).
High Commissioner of Pakistan pays courtesy
call on the Deputy Minister of Defence
The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Major General Faheem Ul Aziz (Retd) made a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) at his office in Colombo, on Monday (Jan 06).
Defence Ministry gears up for active engagement in
'Clean Sri Lanka' initiative
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) chaired a meeting on the 'Clean Sri Lanka' initiative with senior Ministry officials and heads of institutions under the Ministry's purview, including tri-force chiefs, at the Ministry auditorium last evening (Jan 07).
Defence Secretary congratulates Midshipman Tennakoon on his
Prestigious Achievement
Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), extended his heartfelt congratulations to Midshipman T.M.I. Vimukthi Tennakoon of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) for earning the prestigious Sword of Honour.