News
IOM Chief of Mission meets Defence Secretary
The Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Ms. Kristin B. Parco, made a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, today (Nov 20).
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) reappointed
as Secretary to the Ministry of Defence
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) has been reappointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (Nov 19).
Our challenges demand leaders who can think beyond conventional
military paradigms – Defence Secretary
“We live in an era where traditional military challenges intersect with cyber security threats, climate change implications, economic security and information warfare. The Indian Ocean Region, our periphery, stands at the crossroads of global maritime commerce and strategic competition. Our challenges demand leaders who can think beyond conventional military paradigms and understand the multidimensional nature of modern security challenges.
JMSDF SAMIDARE arrives at the Port of Colombo
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ship SAMIDARE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (Nov 17).
AFESA delegation meets Defence Secretary
A delegation of the Sri Lanka Air Force Ex-Servicemen’s Association (AFESA) Executive Committee, met the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry today (Nov 13).
Director of COSATT meets Defence Secretary
Director of the Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT), Dr. Nishchal N. Pandey, met the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, today (Nov 13).
PRESS RELEASE
The Ministry of Defence has observed that the Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lanka Army have issued a significant number of pistols, revolvers and other firearms for the protection of Members of Parliament, Provincial Council members, political party leaders and political organizations as well as officers who held executive appointments in the government.
Book Launch and Discussion on South Asian Labour Migration
Issues and Concerns Held at Hilton Hotel, Colombo
The book “Labour Migrants from South Asia: Issues and Concerns" was officially launched today (Nov 12) at the Hilton Colombo with Mr. Sumith Nakandala, with former Secretary of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) gracing as the Chief Guest and Western Provincial Council Chief Secretary Ms. Dammika K Wijesinghe attended as the Guest of Honour of the event.
SL Coast Guard hosts the 7th High-Level Meeting with
Indian Coast Guard
Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) hosted the 7th annual High-Level Meeting (HLM) with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Colombo on Monday (Nov 11).
PRESS RELEASE
The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued warnings to the public on several occasions regarding an increase in various forms of recruitment to cyber scam centers in Myanmar.
Passing out Parade of Hermann Loos & De Soysa Challenge
Trophies held at Rantambe
The Passing out Parade of the Hermann Loos and De Soysa Challenge Trophies 2024 was held at the NCC Training Centre, Rantambe, on Sunday, Nov 10.
‘INS Vela’ arrives on a formal visit to Colombo
Indian Navy submarine INS Vela arrived at the port of Colombo on Sunday (Nov 10) on a formal visit.
Defence Secretary reviews the security of Arugam Bay
Defence Secretary visited the Eastern Province, focussing specifically on the security situation in the Arugam Bay area today (Nov 10).
Defence Secretary reviews progress of Neelagiri Stupa
reconstruction work
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) made an observation visit today (Nov. 10) to inspect the restoration work of the historic Neelagiri Stupa, which is considered to be the largest in the Eastern Province located in the Lahugala forest reserve.
Defence Secretary reviewed the progress of Deegawapiya
Stupa Restoration Project
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), the Defence Secretary as the Author of the Deegawapiya Aruna Trust and First Trustee, engaged in a field study tour at the historic Deegawapiya Stupa premises at Ampara on Saturday (Nov 09), to review the progress of Stupa Restoration Project.
Army installs RO water treatment plant in Batticaloa School
SL Army troops of the 12 Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) installed a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant at BT/KK Kudimbimalei Kumaran Vidyalaya in Batticaloa, Army media says.
Coast Guard DG pays Courtesy call on Defence Secretary
The Director General (DG) of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG), Rear Admiral Rajapriya Serasinghe, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Ministry at Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, on Thursday (Nov 07).
PRESS RELEASE
In pursuant to Ministry of Defence press release on 06.10.2024, all licensees were informed to return their firearms and ammunition, issued for personal protection, to the Commercial Explosive Firearms and Ammunition Procurement Unit (CEFAP) at the Sri Lanka Navy camp in Welisara before 07.11.2024.
American NDU delegation calls on Defence Secretary
A US National Defence University (NDU) delegation led by Admiral (Retd) Harry Harris called on the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Nov 07).
Defence Secretary delivers lecture at NDC
Sharing his expertise and wisdom, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) delivered a lecture to student officers at the National Defence College (NDC) in Colombo today (Nov 7).
DSCSC Commandant calls on Defence Secretary
The Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Major General Kapila Dolage, paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry, in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte, today (Nov 07).
Defence Secretary makes maiden visit to SL Navy Headquarters
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) made his first official visit to the Navy Headquarters since assuming office as Defence Secretary, today (November 06).
The High Commissioner of Bangladesh calls on Defence Secretary
The High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka His Excellency Mr. Andalib Elias paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Defence Ministry in the Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, today (Nov. 06).
Rainy weather to continue further
The wet weather experienced in parts of the island will likely continue, according to the Meteorological Department's latest weather report issued this morning (Nov. 06).
MOU signed for the construction of a building for Karapitiya
Teaching Hospital cancer unit
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of a ten storied building for the cancer unit at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle, was finalized at a meeting held at the Defence Ministry at the DHQC in Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte today (Nov 05). The addendum to an MOU signed between the Secretary to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Colours of Courage Trust (Guarantee) Limited (COC) for the construction of a ten storied building for the cancer unit at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, was signed today which will facilitate the provision of labour by the Sri Lanka Army gratis.