News
IISS Fellow Meets Deputy Minister of Defence
Mr. Rahul Roy Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy and Diplomacy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), met with Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), yesterday (8 Sep) at the Deputy ministers office premises.
Deputy Minister of Defence Visits Army Hospital Narahenpita
Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), paid an official visit to the Army Hospital at Narahenpita recently (Sep 3). Upon his arrival, he was warmly received by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo.
Exercise Pacific Angel - 2025 Commences in Sri Lanka
Exercise Pacific Angel – 2025 commenced today (08 September 2025) with an inauguration ceremony held at SLAF Base Katunayake. The multinational exercise will be conducted from 08 to 12 September 2025, with the participation of the United States Pacific Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, the Indian Air Force, the Maldivian National Defence Force, and the Bangladesh Air Force. The Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Navy will also take part alongside the SLAF.
Sri Lanka Army Joins Hands with Stakeholders
to Remove Invasive Plants at Kala Wewa
In parallel with the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, and in collaboration with the Wild Tuskers organisation, a large-scale environmental conservation programme was launched under the directions of the Commander of the Army to remove invasive plant species obstructing the lifestyle of elephants along the Kala Wewa tank bund in the 212 Infantry Brigade area.
Ministry of Defence Hosts Awareness Programme
on Sri Lanka’s Digital Blueprint
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy, successfully conducted an awareness programme on “Sri Lanka’s Digital Blueprint” on 03 September 2025 at the Nandimithra Auditorium, Ministry of Defence. The event, organised at the request of the Ministry of Digital Economy and under the direction of the Defence Secretary, aimed to provide strategic insights into the Government’s digital transformation road map and explore avenues for aligning the defence sector with Sri Lanka’s digital economy. The programm was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, senior officers of the Tri Services. The Chief Advisor to H.E. the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya conducted the awareness programme.
Neelagiri Stupa Renovation Work under the Full Supervision
of the Ministry Of Defence
Neelagiri, a historic Stupa is Located in a secluded beautiful environment within the Lahugala Forest Reserve, which falls under the Lahugala Divisional Secretariat Division of Ampara District in the Eastern Province.
Rescue Operations in Ella for Bus Accident Victims
Rescue operations were launched in Ella for the victims of a bus accident that occurred last night (Sep 4).
Strengthening Healthcare and Defence Synergy
Minister of Health and Mass Media Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary and Chairperson of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Board of Management Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), paid an official visit to the University Hospital of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (UH-KDU) in Werahera yesterday (Sep 2).
Indian NDC Delegation Meets Deputy Minister of Defence
An Indian National Defence College (NDC) delegation, led by Major General Pawanpal Singh, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), yesterday (Sep 1) at his office in Colombo.
Sri Lanka Coast Guard Launched Beach Cleaning Programme
Parallel with National Coastal Day - 2025
Sri Lanka Coast Guard conducted several cleanup drives in beach areas covering all Coast Guard regions this morning (30th August 2025), in parallel with the National Coastal Day - 2025, The main programme was carried out at the Mirissa beach, with the participation of the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Rajapriya Serasinghe. In parallel, several other coastal clean-up programmes were also conducted by the Regional Headquarters of the Coast Guard, covering different parts of the country.
Indian NDC Delegation Meets Defence Secretary
An Indian National Defence College (NDC) delegation, led by Major General Pawanpal Singh paid a visit to the Ministry of Defence in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte, today (Sep 01).
Deputy Minister of Defence Reaffirms Commitment to War Heroes’ Welfare
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) paid a visit to Abhimansala-3 in Pangolla, Kurunegala, and Abhimansala-1 in Anuradhapura on 29th and 30th of August. These visits reflected not only the Defence Ministry’s broader welfare vision but also its enduring commitment to the wellbeing of differently-abled war heroes.
ISG Advances Defence Collaboration
A representative delegation from the United States Institute for Security Governance (ISG) met with Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) on Wednesday (Aug 27) at the Courtyard by Marriott in Colombo.
NACWC Conducts Awareness Programme on Mitigation of Chemical Threats
In view of the “Clean Sri Lanka” Initiative, the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) successfully conducted the Inter-Ministerial Awareness Programme on the Mitigation of Chemical Threats with the participation of 90 senior and mid-level government officials from various ministries and departments on Thursday (Aug 28) at the Nandimithra Auditorium of the Ministry of Defence.
Deputy Minister of Defence and Defence Secretary Attend 80th Indonesian Independence Day Ceremony in Colombo
Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), together with the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), attended the 80th Indonesian Independence Day ceremony held at the Ambassador's Residence in Horton Place, Colombo 7, on Wednesday (Aug 27).
Pre -Budget Discussion of the Ministry of Defence - 2026 Chaired by the President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised that Sri Lanka’s defence forces must be developed into one of the most professional forces in the world. He instructed officials to ensure that the necessary budgetary allocations are properly channelled to provide the required training and facilities to achieve this goal.
Defence Ministry Extends Compassionate Support for Rathmalana Blind School
The Blind School in Rathmalana, a pioneering institution dedicated to the education and empowerment of children with special needs, has nurtured generations of students with the unwavering support of its staff, alumni and well-wishers.
Newly Appointed IGP Calls on Defence Secretary
The newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), today (Aug 25) at the Ministry of Defence.
80th Anniversary of the Victory of Chinese People’s War Celebrates
The 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was commemorated yesterday (Aug 20) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo.
80th Vietnam Independence Anniversary and 55 Years of Sri Lanka-Vietnam
Diplomatic Relations Celebrate in Colombo
The 80th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, coinciding with the 55th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, was ceremoniously celebrated at the Hilton Colombo yesterday (Aug 19).
Sri Lanka Aviation Unit Honoured for Outstanding Service in MINUSCA
The Sri Lanka Aviation Unit in Bria, serving under the United Nations mandate in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), has received high praise and official commendation for the successful execution of a high-risk Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) mission on 14 June 2025. Further, another commendation received to the unit, headed by the 10th Aviation Contingent Commander, Group Captain Uditha De Silva for the outstanding commitment, conscientiousness and professional expertise in providing critical air support, contributing significantly to the success of the mission.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner Meets Defence Secretary
Deputy High Commissioner of India in Colombo, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey met with the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (Aug 19).
Deputy Minister of Defence Visits USS Santa Barbara
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) visited the USS Santa Barbara (LCS), an Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship of the United States Navy, currently docked at the Port of Colombo, today (Aug 16).
First Phase of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport Surrounding
Area Cleaning Project Successfully Completed
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Defence and the instructions of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, the first phase of the cleaning project at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport surrounding area was successfully completed under the supervision of the Chief Field Engineer, Brigadier C.D. Wickramanayake WWV RSP ndc.
SLINEX-25 Strengthens Sri Lanka-India Naval Ties
The Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise 2025 (SLINEX-25), a premier bilateral maritime engagement between the two nations, officially set sail on Thursday (August 14) from Colombo Port. The launch ceremony, held aboard the Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Vijayabahu, was graced by the Deputy Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey and the Sri Lanka Navy’s Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage.