News
State Minister Tennakoon visits Royal Navy ship ‘HMS Spey’
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, visited the Royal Navy ship HMS Spey last evening (Jan. 29). HMS Spey arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (Jan. 28) on an official visit.
‘HMS Spey’ arrives on a formal visit to Colombo
Making a formal visit to Sri Lanka, the Royal Navy ship ‘HMS Spey’ arrived at the port of Colombo on Sunday (Jan 28).
Forty-nine (49) Midshipmen set sail on their naval journeys as
commissioned officers in Trincomalee
In a poignant ceremony marked by a strong sense of duty and national pride, 49 midshipmen embarked on their naval careers as commissioned officers on 28th January 2024. The commissioning ceremony, held at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee, was graced by the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena as the Chief Guest, at the invitation of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.
Army Troops Transform Galewela Public Ground
The newly renovated public ground in Galewela was officially handed over to the public in a simple ceremony on 21 January 2024. The event was graced by Hon. Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, Acting Minister of Defence, Hon. Janaka Bandara Thennakon, Member of Parliament Matale District and Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, the Commander of the Army.
Successful Completion of Exercise 'Seagull' 2024
The Amphibious Training Exercise ‘Seagull’ commenced in the Northern Sea area at Palaitivu Island in the Jaffna peninsula from 08 to 11 Jan, involving Tri-Services troops in the area.
Sri Lanka Coast Guard's Phase I oil spill incident management
training program sets new standards
Sri Lanka Coast Guard recently concluded Phase I of its Oil Spill Incident Management Training Program, leaving an indelible mark of professionalism and excellence. The culmination of this training, held on 18th January 2024, at the Hambantota International Port, showcased the dedication and high standards achieved by the personnel.
As the premier think tank on national security in Sri Lanka, INSS stands as a beacon of intellectual exploration
“In the realm of national security, knowledge is not merely power; it is the bedrock upon which our safety and freedom vest." Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne expressed his views as the Chief Guest of the launching ceremony of ‘Defence Review-2023’ held at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) in Battaramulla today (Jan 19).
Defence Secretary Chief Guest at 96th National Boxing Championship
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne graced the closing ceremony of the 96th National Boxing Championship as the Chief Guest at the MAS Arena of Royal College Colombo, yesterday (Jan 17).
Australian new Defence Adviser pays courtesy call on
the Acting Minister of Defence
The Defence Adviser (DA) for the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka Colonel Amanda Johnston paid a courtesy call on the Acting Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, at his office in Colombo today (Jan 17).
State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon appointed as Acting Minister of Defence
His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Switzerland yesterday (Jan 13) to participate in the 54th Annual Conference of World Economic Forum and the President will be on twelve day official visit.
State Minister Tennakoon sends off the Japanese Minister at BIA
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon sent off the Minister of Finance, Minister of State for Financial Services and Minister in charge of Overcoming Deflation of Japan, Hon. Suzuki Shunichi at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday (Jan 12).
SLAF Helicopter Crash in Central Africa: Defence Ministry Refutes
Al-Shabaab Hostage Claims
The Ministry of Defence in Sri Lanka strongly refuted the allegations that a group of Sri Lankans was taken hostage by the Al-Shabaab militant group after a SLAF helicopter crash-landed in Somalia.
State Minister Tennakoon receives Japanese Finance Minister at BIA
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received the Minister of Finance, Minister of State for Financial Services and Minister in charge of Overcoming Deflation of Japan, Hon. Suzuki Shunichi at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning (Jan 11).
‘INS Kabra’ arrives on a formal visit
Making a formal visit to Sri Lanka, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kabra arrived at the port of Colombo on Monday (Jan 8).
Kotelawala Defence University Registers Foreign Students
for Undergrad Courses
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) registered foreign students and students with foreign qualifications for undergraduate degree programmes for the Academic year 2023/2024 during a brief ceremony organized at the KDU on January 03.
Navy provides assistance to G.C.E Advanced Level candidates in flood affected areas
Sri Lanka Navy relief teams mobilized to serve flood affected communities in the Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa districts continue to provide assistance to students appearing for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination.
SLAF renovates northern schools through 'Wings of Friendship' initiative
"Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), while laying the foundation stone for a new Main Hall building at Milyddi North Kaleimagal Maha Vidyalayam in Kankesanthurai on Jan 6, inaugurated the School Renovation Project in line with the upcoming 73rd Anniversary of the SLAF on March 2, 2024.
New Zealand HC pays farewell call on Sri Lanka Defence Secretary
High Commissioner (HC) of New Zealand for Sri Lanka HE Michael Appleton who will be completing his tenure in Sri Lanka, paid a farewell call on the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Ministry, Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Jan 04).
Defence Services College Students excel at Intl Open Taekwondo Asian Championship
Colombo Defence Services College (DSC) students won a gold medal and three bronze medals with exceptional performance during the 2023 International Open Taekwondo Asian Championship held recently at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.
Actg. Additional Secretary (Defence) takes over duties
Mr. Harsha Vithanaarachchi who has been newly appointed as the Actg. Additional Secretary (Defence), took over duties at the Ministry of Defence in 1st January 2024.
SL- Pak Defence Secretaries chair 4th Sri Lanka-Pakistan Defence Dialogue
The fourth Sri Lanka-Pakistan Defence Dialogue was successfully held at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (Jan 3). The Sri Lankan Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne led the host delegation while the Defence Secretary of Pakistan Lieutenant General (Retired) Hamood Uz Zaman Khan led the visiting delegation at the high level talks.
Kothalawala Defence University Commences the new academic year - 2024
With the dawn of New Year 2024, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University ceremonially commenced its new academic year on 1st January 2024 at the university premises.
Army builds a house for a for Columbuthurai Family
Sri Lanka Army troops of 17 Gemunu Watch (GW) constructed a new house and handed it over to a beneficiary family of four children in Columbuthurai recently supporting to uplift their living standards.
With prudent decision-making, Sri Lanka is poised to experience
significant economic growth in 2024
President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored that decisive actions would lead Sri Lanka to rapid economic growth this year. Despite facing criticism for these challenging decisions, he emphasized that they were undertaken in the best interest of the country. The President expressed his hope for unity in the New Year, urging collaboration among political parties to fulfil their collective responsibility in safeguarding the nation.
State Minister of Defence looks into the welfare of the monks at
flood affected Somawathiya area
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon along with the Chief Incumbent of Somawathiya Viharaya made an inspection visit the flood affected Somawathiya sacred area yesterday (Dec. 31) to inquire into the well-being of the monks and people living there. This area is experiencing floods after heavy rains in the Polonnaruwa District. The State Minister reached the shrine in a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter.