Press Release
General Amnesty for Tri-Forces Absentees
The Ministry of Defence announces that the General Amnesty period announced from 20.04.2024 to 20.05.2024 for members of the Tri-Forces who have been marked as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) is not applicable for Commissioned Officers who are marked as AWOL.
General Amnesty for Tri-Forces Absentees
The Ministry of Defence has declared a month long General Amnesty from 20 April to 20 May (2024) to Tri-Forces absentees, enabling them to receive an official discharge from their respective services.
Defence State Minister comments to the media on the current
dry weather conditions and forest fires
State Minister for Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon held a media brief yesterday (March 13) in Colombo to comment on the dry weather conditions prevailing in the country and the increase in forest fires in dry weather conditions.
“SOUTH ASIAN GEOPOLITICS IN 2024: LESSONS FOR SRI LANKA”
The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the Ministry of Defence’s premier think tank on national security, hosted a close door webinar on “South Asian Geopolitics in 2024: Lessons for Sri Lanka” on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 1000hrs to 1200hrs (IST) via Zoom. The Guest Speaker for the event was, Lieutenant General Vinod G. Khandare PVSM, AVSM, SM (Retd.), Principal Adviser,
Press release
The Cabinet has approved the Cabinet Paper No. 23/2527/603/061 dated 24.01.2024, on paying of salary and allowances to the dependents of deceased Tri-Forces personnel, who had retired from service on medical grounds owing to terrorist activities during active service in the war prior to 19.05.2009, those deceased prior to reaching 55 years.
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.
Regarding the false propaganda in the media on 04.12.2023 in connection with the Defense Service Command and Staff College
The Ministry of Defence emphasizes that there is no truth behind media reports published recently giving a wrong interpretation that a lot of money has been spent in the year 2022 for entertaining military heads who periodically arrive on inspection visits to the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC).
Press Release
A report has been called to find out whether members of the Civil Security Department assigned for duties at places of worship, state and other institutions are involved in other activities.
State Minister Tennakoon directs authorities to take immediate action to
remove roadside trees at risk of falling
State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has directed officials of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and National Building Research Organization (NBRO) to coordinate with the Environmental Authority, Road Development Authority (RDA) and local authority bodies and carry out an immediate study of large roadside trees at risk of falling due to the prevailing wet conditions and remove any which may pose a threat to the public.
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.