News
World Environment Day
Let's empower the collective effort to restore land and ecosystems, protect biodiversity and combat climate change
Deputy Commanding General (Strategy and Plans) US Army Pacific
(USARPAC) calls on Defence Secretary
Deputy Commanding General (Strategy and Plans), United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Major General Scott A. Winter, paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Jun 04).
Providing relief to bad weather affected communities will
continue - State Minister of Defence
According to the latest statistics, over 130,021 people belonging to 33,422 families in 262 Divisional Secretary Divisions have been affected by the prevailing bad weather. In addition, 26 deaths and 41 injuries to people have been reported. As of today morning, 9248 persons belonging to 2368 families are housed in 116 safe centers, stated State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon attending the parliamentary session today (June 04).
SL Army and Navy troops conduct Flood Relief and Rescue Operations
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Navy (SLN) have deployed several rescue and relief teams to assist people affected by floods and landslides.
Sri Lanka Navy secures safe passage for six
fishermen after high seas rescue
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) successfully brought six fishermen ashore on Sunday (Jun 02), following a rescue operation in the Southern Indian Ocean. The fishermen were originally retrieved from a distressed trawler by the MT Tonegawa, a merchant tanker, approximately 480 nautical miles (889 km) south of Dondra, SLN media said.
State Minister Tennakoon has emergency meeting with state officials on disaster management and relief measures
The State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and the State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura chaired a discussion at Ratnapura District Secretariat today (Jun 02) on providing relief to the flood victims in the Ratnapura district .
State Minister Tennakoon chairs another programme to look into the welfare and administrative affairs of War Hero families and retired Army veterans
Another programme organized by the Sri Lanka Army to look into the welfare and administrative affairs of retired/ medically retired military personnel and family members of war heroes who sacrificed their lives in the war was held today (Jun 02) at the Regimental Center of the Sri Lanka Army Gemunu Watch in Kuruwita.
State Minister Tennakoon chairs a programme to look into welfare and administrative affairs of War Hero families and retired Army veterans
- "The services of war heroes who sacrificed their lives and sustained injuries for the peace in motherland as well as the sacrifices of their families will always remain in our memory and we are eternally grateful to them."
Harsha Vithanaarachchi appointed as Additional Secretary (Defence)
Harsha Vithanaarachchi has been appointed as the Additional Secretary (Defence). He received his appointment letter from Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne yesterday (31 May).
State Minister of Defence to introduce
financial literacy in National Cadet Corps curriculum
State Minister of Defence, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has announced plans to incorporate financial literacy into the curriculum of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
25 Sri Lanka Coast Guard personnel qualify as ‘Oil Spill Incident
Management Instructors’ in Japan
A team of 25 personnel of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) successfully completed an advanced training program on Oil Spill Incident Management at the Maritime Disaster Prevention Centre (MDPC) in Yokosuka, Japan recently.
Defence Secretary graces sports shooting YouTube channel launching
Secretary Defence General Kamal Gunaratne graced the launching ceremony of the ‘Scorpion Top Shot’ YouTube channel as the chief guest on Wednesday (May 29).
Condolence Message on the landslide in Papua New Guinea
The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka expresses its heartfelt condolence to the King and the people of Papua New Guinea over the loss of lives and destruction caused by the massive landslide in the Enga region.
Monsoonal rains to continue further
The inclement weather experienced in most parts of the country is likely to continue further according to the latest forecasts of the Met Dept. predicting showers of over 100mm at places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
New Pakistan High Commissioner meets
State Minister of Defence Tennakoon
The new High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka H.E. Major General Faheem-Ul-Aziz (Retd), paid a courtesy call on State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon at his office in Colombo today (May 29).
‘Ensuring the safety of school children a top priority
- State Minister of Defence Tennakoon
Safeguarding the safety of school children through ensuring a safe school environment especially during prevalent weather related emergency situations is a top priority in our disaster management programe said State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon at a media discussion held at the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo today (May 28).
Met Dept. warns of strong winds and rough seas
Due to the active South West Monsoonal condition the prevailing showery and windy conditions over the island are expected to continue. Sea areas around the island will be very rough with very strong gusty winds with speeds up to 60-70 kmph.
State Minister Tennakoon educates media on disaster management preparations in place to face prevailing inclement weather related incidents
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon chaired a special media briefing at the Disaster Management Center in Colombo to educate the media on measures put in place to face any bad weather related emergencies, today (May 27).
Condolence Message on the devastating floods in Nepal
Condolence Message on the devastating floods in Nepal
The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka expresses its deepest condolence to the President and People of Nepal on the loss of lives and damages caused by devastating floods in the country.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nepal at this difficult hour.
‘Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024’, one of this year’s most vibrant Vesak celebrations concludes successfully
Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Independent Television Network (ITN) was held for three days from May 23 and concluded last evening (May 25).
‘Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024’ draws large crowds
The Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024 commenced this evening (May 25) for the third consecutive day covering Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha and the Ministry of Defence road in Battaramulla. Large crowds have visited the Vesak Zone during the last two days.
Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024 continues for Second Day
'Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024' organized in line with the 'Buddha Rashmi' Vesak festival, commenced this evening (May 24) for the second day in Battaramulla.
Special discussion on inclement weather-related emergencies held at
Emergency Operations Centre
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon chaired a special discussion on the wet weather-related emergency situation presently being experienced in the country at the Emergency Operations Centre of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) under the Ministry of Defence in Colombo, today (May 24).
Defence Secretary declares open Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne and Chairman of Independent Television Network (ITN) Mr. Sudarshana Gunawardana, inaugurated the ‘Diyawanna Vesak Zone 2024’ this evening (May 23). This is organized in line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak festival.
Happy Vesak Ceremony
“Attano wa avekkhyeya kathani akatani cha”
"Let's not look at what others have done and look at what we have done"