Press Release
Timely action by authorities prevents major disaster
A landslide was reported from Thennapitahena kanda in Diyalape Akuressa in the Matara district at around 5.00 pm yesterday (Oct 05).
RENEWAL OF FIREARM LICENSE AND PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS REGISTRATION-2024
The renewal of firearm license of individuals/ institutions for the year 2024 will be carried out from 01 October 2023 to 31 December 2023. Required details can be downloaded from the Defence Ministry’s website www.defence.lk. Firearm license renewal for 2024 will not be carried out after 31 December 2023. It is also informed that possession of a firearm without a valid license is a punishable offense under provisions of Section 22 of the Firearms Ordinance.
“BLUE ECONOMIC STRATEGIES TO ENERGIZE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SRI LANKA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES”
The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank under the Ministry of Defence on national security, hosted a Round Table Discussion on “Blue Economic Strategies to Energize the Economic Development of Sri Lanka: Challenges and Opportunities” on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, from 1000hrs to 1130hrs (IST) via Zoom.
“ENSURING HOLISTIC HUMAN SECURITY: EMPOWERING SRI LANKAN CHILDREN THROUGH SAFE AND FULFILLING WORK ENVIRONMENTS”
The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the Ministry of Defence’s premier think tank on national security, hosted a Round Table Discussion on “Ensuring Holistic Human Security: Empowering Sri Lankan Children Through Safe And Fulfilling Work Environments” on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 1400hrs to 1530hrs (IST) via Zoom.
REGARDING PAYMENT OF SALARY AND ALLOWANCES TO RETIRED DISABLED SOLDIERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
The Ministry of Defence has already made necessary arrangements for stipends be paid to disabled tri forces personnel who retire from service on medical grounds due to disabilities caused during the terrorist war till the age of 55 years and thereafter for the lifetime of the serviceman and his widow.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO CHANNEL 4'S REPREHENSIBLE
ALLEGATIONS REGARDING THE EASTER SUNDAY ATTACK
In the face of a heinous and merciless assault that shook the world - the Easter Sunday Attack of 2019 - which claimed the lives of nearly 270 innocent souls, including children and foreigners, Sri Lanka and the International Community watched in horror. In the wake of this catastrophe, the Sri Lankan Government, its Law Enforcement Agencies, Security Forces and international investigation agencies launched exhaustive investigations. Over the years, these investigations, both local and international, have consistently pointed to ISIS-affiliated group members led by Zahran Hashim as the architects of this horrifying tragedy.
From Insight to Action: Destruction and Trafficking
of Cultural Property in Sri Lanka
Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established under the Ministry of Defence, organized a Round Table Discussion titled “From Insight to Action: Destruction and Trafficking of Cultural Property in Sri Lanka” on Thursday, 24th of August 2023, from 1400hrs to 1530hrs (IST) via Zoom.
Escalation of Plastic Pollution; A Threat to Environmental Security
The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the Ministry of Defence's premier think tank on national security, hosted a Round Table Discussion on "Escalation of Plastic Pollution; A Threat to Environmental Security" on Thursday, August 3, 2023, from 1400hrs to 1600hrs (IST) via Zoom.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for National Security: Opportunities and Challenges in Sri Lanka
Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established under the Ministry of Defence, organized a Round Table Discussion titled “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for National Security: Opportunities and Challenges in Sri Lanka” on Wednesday, 12th of July 2023, from 1330hrs to 1530hrs (IST) via Zoom.
Sri Lanka remains in tier 2 as per the trafficking in
persons report 2023 issued by US Department of State
As the Chair of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence is pleased to announce that Sri Lanka remains in Tier 2 of the Annual Ratings of the recently released Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report by the United States Department of State. Known as the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-trafficking efforts, the US TIP Report also reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue.
Ration Allowance benefits to medically retired and
dependents of deceased war heroes
The revised Ration Allowance for differently-able retired service personnel on medical grounds and dependents of deceased war veterans due to terrorist acts, is presently being processed and will be paid to them, in due course.
National Security Conclave 2023
The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) Sri Lanka, the premier think tank on National Security, functioning under the Ministry of Defence, organized the third edition of its national conference titled “National Security Conclave 2023” on Wednesday, 17th May 2023. The event was held at the auditorium of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Kandawala Estate, Ratmalana.
Firearm permits for crop protection will be issued - State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon says
The State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon stated that the prevailing laws have been amended for the use of firearms for crop protection purposes and it has been decided to revise agricultural land area to five (05) acres for the issuance of those permits.
“Road Safety Week on Prevention of Traffic Accidents Launched Targeting Schools”
The Ministry of Education has announced a school road safety week on road safety. As a result of a discussion between the Sri Lanka Medical Association's Road Accident Prevention Expert Committee and the Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayanth and Ministry of Education officials, this road safety week aimed at school children will be held in conjunction with the United Nations Global Road Safety Week from May 12 to 16.
Ministry of Defence Categorically Refuses Allegations circulating in Social Media
The Ministry of Defence, while categorically denouncing unfounded allegations leveled against the MOD by an ex- serviceman with a blemished military career who speaks on the "purity" in armed services in a recent talk show, also refutes those allegations as disgraceful and misleading.
“ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL SCHOOLING SYSTEM;
ASSET OR LIABILITY?”
Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established and functioning under the Ministry of Defence organized a Round Table Discussion on “Alternatives to traditional schooling system: Asset or liability?” on Tuesday, the 25th April 2023 from 0900hrs to 1100hrs (IST) via Zoom.
Clarification by the Ministry of Defence on a statement made by Hon. Wimal Weerawansa MP regarding the Chief of Defence Staff and former Army Commander
Deputy National Security Advisor Level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, a security conference organized between friendly countries in the South Indian Ocean region, was held in India on 07 July 2022. The Ministry of Defence emphasizes that
“ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR SRI LANKA IN 2023-2024 - FROM ECONOMIC CRISIS TO RECOVERY?”
Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established under the Ministry of Defence organized a Close Door Round Table Discussion on “Economic outlook for Sri Lanka in 2023-2024 - from economic crisis to recovery?” on Thursday, the 02nd of March 2023, from 1500hrs to 1630hrs (IST) via Zoom. The chair for this informative session was Rear Admiral Dimuthu Gunawardena RWP**, RSP, VSV, USP, nswc, psc, hdmc, Acting Director General and Director (Communications and Publications) of the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS). The three esteemed Guest Speakers for the event were Dr. P.K.G. Harischandra, Director, Economic Research Department, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe, Professor in Economics, Head, Department of Information Technology, University of Colombo and Dr. Dirk Willem te Velde, Director, International Economic Development Group, ODI Global, United Kingdom. This informative and timely session was moderated by Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, a Professorial Fellow in Economics and Trade at Gateway House in Mumbai and Senior Research Associate at ODI Global in London. The audience comprised of ministry officials, academics, researchers, policymakers, representatives from Sri Lanka Armed Forces and Police.
Past, Present and Future Pandemics: Think Globally, Act Locally
Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established under the Ministry of Defence organized a Round Table Discussion on “Past, Present and Future Pandemics: Think Globally, Act Locally” on Wednesday, the 15th of February 2023 from 1400hrs to 1530hrs via Zoom. The three esteemed Guest Speakers for the event were, Dr. Samitha Ginige, the Consultant Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, Dr. Pradeep Kumarasinghe de Silva, the Consultant Physician, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, and Prof. Suranjith Seneviratne, the Consultant in Clinical Immunology, Allergy, and Immunogenetics, Royal Free Hospital and University College London, United Kingdom. The moderator for this informative and timely session was Rear Admiral Dimuthu Gunawardena RWP**, RSP, VSV, USP, nswc, psc, hdmc, Acting Director General and Director (Communications and Publications), of the Institute of National Security Studies. The audience comprised of ministry officials, academics, researchers, policymakers, representatives from Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Sri Lanka Police, and Civil Security Department.
Declaring a period to hand over unlicensed guns
Ministry of Defence has declared a grace period from 06.02.2023 to 15.03.2023 for persons who possess guns without license to hand over the guns to the Police, vide ref the government gazette No. 2318/02 on 06.02.2023.
Marine Environment Protection in Sri Lanka: A Lesson Learnt from
Recent Maritime Accidents
Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on national security established under the Ministry of Defence organized a Close Door Round Table Discussion on “Marine Environment Protection in Sri Lanka: A Lesson Learnt from Recent Maritime Accidents” on Wednesday, the 18th of January 2023, from 1400hrs to 1600hrs (IST) via Zoom. The four esteemed Guest Speakers for the event were, Mrs. Dharshani Lahandapura, the Chairperson of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, Prof. Prasanthi Gunawardene, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Dr. Dan Malika Gunesekara, Attorney-at- Law and Captain (G) Lasantha Vithanage, the Commanding Officer of SLCGS Suraksha, Sri Lanka Coast Guard. The moderator for this informative and timely session was Rear Admiral Dimuthu Gunawardena RWP**, RSP, VSV, USP, nswc, psc, hdmc, Acting Director General and Director (Communications and Publications), of the Institute of National Security Studies. The audience comprised of ministry officials, academics, researchers, policymakers, representatives from Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Civil Security Department.
Press Release issued by the State Ministry of Defence
The strength of the military and sustainable economic development are two sides of a coin, which stay together, but never talk to each other in open. Military spending is basically the state borne expenditure, which indirectly stimulates and opens avenues for economic growth by way of assuring national and human security.
General Amnesty declares for Tri-Forces absentees overseas
Ministry of Defence informs the Tri-Forces absentees who are presently abroad to receive a legal discharge from their respective services without reporting to the Unit under the recently declared General Amnesty period which is in force from 15.11.2022 until 31.12.2022.
General amnesty for Tri Forces absentees
Ministry of Defence declares general amnesty for the Tri-Forces absentees, enabling them to receive a legal discharge from their respective services.
President instructs officers to celebrate the 75th Independence Day with dignity
President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to celebrate the 75th Independence Day in a dignified manner that reflects national and religious unity.