News
Birthday Wishes
From the State Minister of Defence, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Staff
235 Acres Returned to Jaffna Farmers
The Sri Lanka Army handed over another 235 acres situated in the Palaly High Security Zone back to its owners during a brief ceremony on 22 March 2024. The event was graced by His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Condolence Message
The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka expresses its deepest condolences to the President and people of Russia over the loss of lives in the terrorist attack at the Moscow concert hall. We strongly condemn such brutal attacks on innocent civilians. We stand in solidarity with the people of Russia at this difficult hour.
Major General Udaya Herath (Retd) new Director General of
Disaster Management Centre
Maj. Gen. Udaya Herath (Retd) has been appointed as the Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
We will do everything possible to ensure welfare of war heroes - Defence Secretary
The decision to pay salaries of disable War Heroes for their and the lifetimes of their spouses and measures to overcome issues pertaining to the salaries of War Heroes and disable War Heroes are some of the welfare initiatives taken for the benefit of those who sacrificed their life and limb for the country, said the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne while speaking to a large gathering of War Heroes and their families at the Tower Hall Theatre in Colombo today (21 Mar).
State Minister of Defence enlightens student officers of DSCSC
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon addressed the student officers of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) on Wednesday (Mar 20).
Col Nalin Herath speaks at Defence and Strategic Dialogue in India
The 3rd Defence and Strategic Dialogue, organized by the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy (CCAS) in collaboration with the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS) and the Centre for Advanced Strategic Studies (CASS) India was held at Sant Dnyaneshwar Hall, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), India recently (18 and 19 Mar).
Sri Lanka Army emerges as the champions with flying colours
Sri Lanka Army dominates by securing the championship of the 18th National Wushu Competition organized by the Sri Lanka National Wushu Federation from March 11 to 13 at the National Youth Centre, Maharagama as well as the overall championship of the 84th Two-Mile Sea Swim Championship, hosted by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) on March 15 and 16 at Mount Lavinia Beach, Army media says.
‘Your presence on the battlefield has boosted our combatants' morale, as they were aware that their health was being taken care of.' - Defence Secretary
‘I am extremely happy that the College has selected a timely theme this year: “Diversity and Inclusion towards Excellence in Military Medicine.” I firmly believe that striving for excellence in military medicine cannot be achieved by merely being knowledgeable and developing skills in military medicine but by creating and fostering an attitudinal and behavioural change, which is implied by the theme you have selected’.
Defence State Minister comments to the media on the current
dry weather conditions and forest fires
State Minister for Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon held a media brief yesterday (March 13) in Colombo to comment on the dry weather conditions prevailing in the country and the increase in forest fires in dry weather conditions.
U.S. Department of Defence Conducts ISR Aircraft Demonstration to Enhance Sri Lankan Maritime Domain Awareness National Security Capabilities
A significant training programme commenced at SLAF Base Ratmalana today (12 March 2024), facilitated through collaboration between the United States Department of Defense (DOD), the U.S. Embassy in Colombo and the Sri Lanka Air Force. This programme will continue until 14 March 2024. The primary objective is to provide comprehensive briefings and conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) flight demonstrations, with an emphasis placed on enhancing Sri Lanka’s capabilities in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) missions.
Met. Department warns on hot weather: Cautions on
increased temperature felt on the human body
The temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘caution level’ (amber) at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Southern provinces today (Mar 14), warns the Meteorological Department in its latest weather forecast issued on Wednesday (Mar 13).
Special Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment
under Chinese Grant Delivered to Army
The Sri Lanka Army this morning (13 Mar) gratefully accepted a stock of special Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment, which had been gifted to the Ministry of Defence under the Chinese Military Grant scheme during a simple formal ceremony, headed by His Excellency Qi Zhenhong, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka and General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence at the Army Headquarters.
State Minister of Defence Addresses SF-J Troops
Honourable Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, the State Minister of Defence, took some time off to speak to troops of the Security Forces - Jaffna (SF-J) at the Palaly Airport on 09 March 2024, en route to the Air Force ‘Tattoo’ in Jaffna.
SLAF Empowers Youth with Aviation Experience
Under the esteemed guidance of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and the diligent supervision of the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera, an exclusive opportunity was extended today (11 March 2024) to schoolchildren who showcased a profound interest in aviation during the Air Tattoo 2024. This opportunity entailed a comprehensive briefing on the AN-32 aircraft along with a close view. During this interaction, students engaged in productive discussions with pilots, enriching their knowledge base.
Sri Lanka Aviation Unit Partners With UNFPA for a Family Planning Awareness Event on International Women's Day
The 9th contingent of the Sri Lanka Aviation Unit at Central Africa Republic partnered with the United Nations Population Fund at Central African Republic (UNFPA CAR) and conducted a United Nations Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CIMIC) activity to mark International Women's Day yesterday (09 March 2024) at the Bria Prefecture conference hall.
Navy-made thalassemia infusion systems handed over to
Girls High School, Kandy for distribution
The Sri Lanka Navy in the first week of March 2024 symbolically handed over 15 thalassemia infusion systems to the Interact Club of Girls High School, Kandy, to be distributed among needy patients. Continuing the Naval Social Responsibility project, the Naval Research and Development Unit of the Navy produced these thalassemia infusion systems.
Army Troops Participate in United Nations FTE Exercise Shanti Prayas - IV in Nepal
The Field Training Event (FTE) Exercise SHANTI PRAYAS - IV was hosted by the Nepalese Armed Forces and co-sponsored by the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) under the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). It was held at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center in Nepal from 20 February to 04 March 2024.
541 Infantry Brigade inaugurated Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
Troops of the 541 Infantry Brigade recently inaugurated Reverse Osmosis (RO) Drinking Water System at Brigade premises on 06 March 2024.
Newly appointed IGP meets Defence Secretary
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon paid a courtesy visit to the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (Mar 11).
Sri Lanka Army Rescues University Student at Alagalla Mountain
Troops of 8 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) of 611 Infantry Brigade on 10 March rescued a university student who had fallen down the treacherous slopes of Alagalla Mountain in Kegalle.
Trincomalee Naval Exercise (TRINEX) - 24 wraps up with resounding success
The Trincomalee Naval Exercise (TRINEX) - 24, hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy, took place in the Trincomalee harbour and eastern seas from 04th to 08th March 2024. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera inspected the final day of the exercise embarked onboard SLNS Gajabahu.
IORA Day 2024 gets under way in Colombo
Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President and Commander - in - Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest, graced the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Day exhibition held at the Galle Face today (10th March 2024).
54 Infantry Division Troops Assist Devotees during Annual 'Pada Yathra' Pilgrimage
Troops of the 4 Gajaba Regiment and the 8 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment provided drinking water for devotees of the annual ‘Pada Yathra’ on 08 March 2024 at several locations during the journey.
Fourth Day of the 'Air Tattoo 2024' Graced By the State Minister of Defence
The fourth day of the 'Air Tattoo 2024' educational and technological exhibition commenced today (09 March 2024) at Muttraweli Ground in Jaffna, extending a warm invitation to the general public until 10 p.m. The State Minister of Defence, Hon. Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, extended a welcome to the Chief Guest upon his arrival.