News
Condolence Message on the explosion and floods in seychelles
The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka and members of the Armed Forces express their deepest condolences to the President and people of Seychelles over the loss of life and destruction caused by an explosion in an industrial area in Mahé and devastating floods in the country. We stand in solidarity with the people of Seychelles at this difficult hour.
Director Public Policy South and Central Asia of Meta meets State Minister
The Director Public Policy South and Central Asia of Meta Sarim Aziz met the State Minister of Defence Hon. Premita Bandara Tennakoon at his office in Colombo today (Dec. 07).
Troops Rotation of UN Peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic
The 9th Contingent from the Sri Lanka Air Force to take up duties with UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic departed yesterday (04 December 2023).The contingent comprised 21 Officers and 89 Airmen.
Army continues carrying out community projects in North
Sri Lanka Army troops of 4 Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC) organized a blood donation campaign at its camp premises in Jaffna recently.
SLAF inducts two Harbin Y-12 IV Aircraft in Momentous Ceremony
In a momentous ceremony held today (05 December 2023) at SLAF Base Ratmalana, the Sri Lanka Air Force marked a significant chapter in the history with the ceremonial induction of two Harbin Y-12 IV aircraft. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the State Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Qi Zhenhong.
ICRC local delegation head meets State Minister
Head of the ICRC Delegation in Sri Lanka Severine Chappaz met the State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon at his office in Colombo today (Dec. 05).
Awareness Programme on Human Trafficking commenced in Colombo
An awareness programme on Human Trafficking organized by the National Task Force against Human Trafficking and the International Organization for Migration to educate 39 Divisional Secretaries covering 13 districts commenced at Hotel Ramada in Colombo on Monday (Dec. 04). Attending the programme, Defence Secretary and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF), General Kamal Gunaratne made the opening remarks.
SLAF spreads the Joy of the Season with “A Christmas Miracle”
The Sri Lanka Air Force Christmas Carols - 2023 was held last night (01 December 2023) to spread the joy of the season with “A Christmas Miracle”. On the invitation of the Chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Enoka Rajapaksa and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, this glittery event was held under the gracious presence of Mrs. Gayani Tennakoon together with State Minister of Defence, Hon. Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon at the Eagles’ Lagoon View in Katunayake.
‘The National Youth Hero Award’ to be presented through the NCC to honour
Sri Lankan young heroes - Acting Minister of Defence
‘The National Youth Hero Award’ will be introduced through the National Cadet Corps (NCC) to honour the emerging Sri Lankan young heroes. The intention behind this move is to groom the youth to be dynamic, versatile and disciplined citizens with extraordinary leadership qualities to face utmost challenges in the future society’.
9th Edition of Ex- ‘Mitra Shakti-2023’ Ends in Pune, India
The 9th edition of the joint military Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti-2023’ formally concluded on Monday (28th November) in Aundh, Pune in India with the participation of troops from India and Sri Lanka.
SFHQ Central Troops Clear Blocked Rail Track at Ohiya
The upcountry railway operation line running from Colombo to Badulla was obstructed due to an earth-slip near Ohiya railway station during the morning hours on Tuesday (22 November) as a result of the torrential rainfall.
Weather conditions likely to deteriorate further
The prevailing rainy weather condition is expected to enhance over most parts of the island for the next few days starting from today (Nov. 27), says the Meteorological Department in its latest weather forecast issued today.
Celebrating valour and sportsmanship: the 12th Defence Services Games 2022/2023 concluded in a spectacular closing ceremony
“Sports bring people together regardless of their nationality, religion or skin colour” said the State Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon while addressing the closing ceremony of the 12th Defence Services Games as the Chief Guest, at the Sugathadasa stadium in Colombo last evening (Nov. 24).
President underscores Imperative of Strategic Blueprint amid
shifting Global Geopolitical Dynamics
In his address at the Graduation ceremony of the National Defence College, hosted at Eagle Lakeside, Ratmalana yesterday (21), President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the historical significance associated with the National Defence College building. Formerly the residence of Admiral Edwin Thomas Layton during World War II, the edifice is poised to become a focal point in deliberations concerning the strategic decisions formulated within its walls in 1942. The President underscored that these decisions played a pivotal role in upholding British dominance over the Indian Ocean during that crucial juncture in history.
Secretary Defence graces 52nd Bangladesh Armed Forces Day Ceremony
Defence Secretary, General Kamal Gunaratne graced the 52nd Bangladesh Armed Forces Day ceremony as the Chief Guest at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo last evening (Nov. 21).
Youths in East Begin Tamil & Sinhala Language Learning thru SFHQ-East & CCC
Major General M.K.U.P Gunaratne RSP ndu psc IG, the Commander, Security Forces - East (SF-East) as the Chief Guest attended the ‘Sinhala Language’ diploma awarding ceremony for Tamil speaking youths, held on Saturday (18) at Oddamawadi National School in Batticaloa at the invitation of the Chairman, Civil Citizens' Committee (CCC), Batticaloa.
Incessant rains pose landslide and flood threats
According to Met. Department’s latest weather forecast issued today (Nov. 20) showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in most provinces of the island after 01.00 p.m.
Army assists in disaster management operations during adverse weather
Sri Lanka Army troops have been continuously supporting the flood affected communities while assisting the disaster management authorities to provide uninterrupted services for people during the adverse weather conditions prevailing in the country.
United Nations Peacekeepers' Medal Awarding Parade
Concludes At Central African Republic
The prestigious United Nations Peacekeepers' Medal Awarding Parade for Sri Lanka Air Force 8th Aviation Contingent deployed at Bria in the Central African Republic was glamorously held on 15 November 2023. Major General Pedro Miguel Alves Gonçalves Soares, the Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA), took the salute during the ceremony as the Chief Guest and reviewed the parade.
9th Mitra Shakti Exercise Begins in Pune
The 9th Edition of the Joint Military Exercise ' Mitra Shakti-2023' formally commenced on Thursday (16 Nov) in Aundh, Pune, India with the joined by 120 troops of the Indian Army, 123 troops of the Sri Lankan Army, 15 troops of the Indian Air Force and 05 troops from Sri Lankan Air Force.
French Ambassador and State Minister of Defence
talk on strengthening bilateral ties
Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka H.E. Jean-François Pactet engaged in a friendly discussions with the State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon when he called on him at his office in Colombo today (Nov 15).
Newly appointed Indian DA meets Defence Secretary
Captain Anand Mukundan who joined the mission as Defence Adviser (DA) to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, called on the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (Nov 14).
The on-going pursuit of knowledge and technological improvement is one of the main tenancies of our defence strategy - Defence Secretary
Our armed forces need to be outfitted with the newest tools and technologies possible in this dynamic and unpredictable age of conflict.
Colonel Nalin Herath speaks at South Asian Think Tanks Forum in Nepal
Director of Media and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence and Overlooking Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) Colonel Nalin Herath delivered a lecture at a conference organised jointly by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT) in Kathmandu, Nepal on November 07.
'Lest we forget’ our fallen heroes
His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe laid floral tributes at the Cenotaph war memorial in Vihara Mahadevi Park yesterday (Nov 11) during the observance of Armed Forces Remembrance Day 2023, organized by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA).