r Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

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President's Christmas message

The dawn of Christmas is a day to reminisce and celebrate God’s love for humanity, by the birth of Jesus Christ as the savior of human kind. It is a joyous festival of humanity and peace, that proclaims the liberation of the poor and oppressed. The birth of baby Jesus in impoverished surroundings signifies the dedication of His life to creating a better society.


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Defence Secretary delves into National Cadet Corps' progress

Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne made an inspection visit to the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Headquarters in Pamankada today (Dec 23).


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Gen. Kottegoda appointed as new KDU Chancellor

Gen. SHS Kottegoda (Rtd) has been appointed as the Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University by Hon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe.


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Inclement weather likely to worsen over the weekend

The prevalent rainy and windy condition experienced is likely to increase over most parts of the country during the weekend (24 and 25 Dec).


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UNHCR delegation calls on Defence Secretary

A delegation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) led by Indrika Ratwatte (Director- Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific) met the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Ministry today (22 Dec).


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SLAF and Health Ministry sign MOU for Charter Aircraft Agreement

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Charter Aircraft Agreement was signed between the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and the Ministry of Health at the SLAF Headquarters, yesterday (21). The MOU was signed following the Defence Ministry’s approval.


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China donates Rs. 5 million to the NCC

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka donated Rs. 5 million to the Defence Ministry on Wednesday (21 Dec) towards the development of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).


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Army troops doused fire in Kandy

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops of the 111 Brigade of the 11 Division under command to the Security Force Headquarters - Central (SFHQ-C) doused fire erupted in a three-storied house along the Sri Sangaraja Mawatha in Kandy recently.


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Condolence Message

The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka conveys its condolences on the disaster of the sinking of HTMS Sukhothai due to bad weather. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those still missing and to the Royal Thai Navy.


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Newly appointed Navy Chief calls on Defence Secretary

The newly appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera made a call on the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Ministry, Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (19 Dec).


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New HQ building of Commando Regiment declared open by Defence Secretary

A new Headquarters building of the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment was inaugurated by Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne at the Commando Regiment Centre in Ganemulla today (19 Dec).


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Navy nabs a large haul of Ice and Heroin

A special operation conducted by the Navy in coordination with the State Intelligence Service and Police Narcotic Bureau in the seas about 229 nautical miles (424km) off Dondra led to the interception of 02 local fishing trawlers and apprehension of a large consignment of narcotic drugs with 08 suspects on 14th December 2022. The haul of illegal drugs included over 128kg and 327g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 106kg and 474g of heroin (with their packages). In the same vein, SLNS Samudura also held another local fishing trawler with 06 suspects arrived to replenish fuel to the drug-carrying trawler. The consignment of drugs and the suspects were brought to the Colombo Harbour by the Navy this morning (18th December). Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera also arrived at the Colombo Harbour to inspect the consignment.


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SLN rescues 104 Myanmar nationals

Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to rescue 104 distressed Myanmar nationals aboard a passenger craft in Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni this morning (18th December 2022). The distressed craft is reported to have trespassed into island’s territorial waters last night (17th December), following a mechanical failure while it was carrying these people from Myanmar to Indonesia.


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Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, new Navy Commander

Hon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has promoted the Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) today (18).


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Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne promoted to the rank of Admiral

Hon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces has elevated the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne to the rank of Admiral with effective from yesterday (17).

 


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As an island nation, Sri Lanka should maintain good relations
with all countries - President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka should adopt a non-aligned foreign policy in dealing with the international community, as an island nation.


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KDU enters into an agreement with NWSDB

On the sidelines of the opening ceremony organized by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) of their new Centre of Excellence for Water and Sanitation (CEWAS) recently (14), General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) entered into an agreement with NWSDB to jointly conduct a certificate course on “Operation & Maintenance In Wastewater Treatment Plants”.


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SLAF conducts a 'Fire and Rescue Drill' at SLAF Headquarters

SLAF conducts a 'Fire and Rescue Drill' at SLAF Headquarters


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Defence Secretary graces launching of ‘Prabhakaran’s
Ruthless Terrorism in the Guise of a Liberation’

Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne graced the launching of the E Book ‘Prabhakaran’s Ruthless Terrorism in the Guise of a Liberation’ written by the eminent author JF Ranjith Perera at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management auditorium in Colombo last evening (15 Dec).


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Sixty-four (64) Midshipmen embark on their naval careers as
commissioned officers in Trincomalee

The commissioning of Midshipmen of the 36th and 37th intakes of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and 62nd and 63rd intakes of Officer Cadets of Sri Lanka Navy was held at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee on 15th December 2022. At the invitation of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the ceremony was graced by the Chief of Naval Staff of India, Admiral R Hari Kumar.


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Navy nabs smuggled Kerala Cannabis

A large stock of over 181kilos of (wet weight) Kerala Cannabis was apprehended by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) during a special operation conducted in the sea area off Guru Nagar in Jaffna on Thursday (15 Dec).

 


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Defence Secretary looks into the needs of ‘SERRIC’

Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne made an inspection visit to the Senehasa Education Resource Research and Information Centre (SERRIC) situated at Matha Road, Manning Town in Colombo, today (12).


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Navy rescues fishermen from capsized trawler

Three local fishermen were rescued from a capsized fishing trawler in the southern seas after a search and rescue operation by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN).


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Measures being taken to award President’s Colours to the NCC- Defence Secretary

While appreciating the performance of the school’s cadet platoons the Defence Secretary said that cadets should always maintain their stature and also be able to accept victory with grace and defeat in good spirit.


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Indian Navy Chief meets Sri Lankan Defence State Minister

Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral R. Hari Kumar  who is currently in Sri Lanka on an official visit called on the State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon at the office of the State Ministry of Defence situated in Colombo today (Dec 14).