News Highlights

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Former glory of Deegawapiya Stupa at the naked eye view will be a reality soon – Defence Secretary

Unlike futile attempts launched previously, we will see the former glory of Deegawapiya Stupa this time, pledged Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) while addressing media at the Defence Ministry yesterday (Jan 13).


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‘Paathalayo’ and ‘Gotabaya’ English version presented to President

The launching ceremony of the English translation of the book titled ‘Gotabaya’, and ‘Paathalayo’ a Sinhala novel based on real underworld episodes authored by Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) was held to coincide his 59th birthday at the Kularathne Hall in Ananda College, Colombo last evening (Sep 6).


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Fund to be set up to renovate Deegawapiya Stupa, soon - Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Deegawapiya Trust Fund would be established to expedite renovation of Deegawapiya Stupa, an ancient Buddhist sacred shrine and an archaeological site in the Ampara District.


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Early disaster identification system will be implemented soon- Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said a new system would be implemented to identify and manage disasters before they struck to prevent massive damages to properties and human lives.


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STF called to beef up security in prisons from today - Defence Secretary

The Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Police Special Task Force (STF) had deployed in outer perimeters of the Welikada Prison and Colombo Remand Prison to strengthen security  from tomorrow (Aug 24).

 


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President pledges to protect Sri Lanka's sovereignty without succumbing to any force

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasized that he will take the country towards prosperity while safeguarding the people and protecting the sovereignty of the country without succumbing to any force.


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Measures to be taken to prevent land grabs

Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa assumed duties


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Security and defence crucial for country’s development – Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said national security and defence were paramount for country's development.


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Defence Ministry comes under President Rajapaksa's purview

While retaining the Defence Ministry under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's purview, he has appointed MP Chamal Rajapaksa as the State Minister  during the swearing-in ceremony held at the historic Magul Maduwa (Audience Hall) of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, today (Aug 12).


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Thirty five State institutions under purview of Defence Ministry

Thirty five State institutions have been brought under the purview of the Defence Ministry and Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management State Ministry by the new Gazette Notification issued this week.


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Sri Lanka’s success on mitigating Coronavirus outbreak a collective effort – Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said Sri Lanka would be the only nation in the world that deployed the intelligence service successfully to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus outbreak.


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Nine Senior Police officers appointed as Hostage Negotiators

Nine senior Police officers have been appointed as Hostage Negotiators, the first of such an initiative in Sri Lanka, in keeping with international aviation obligations as a part of crisis management during a possible aircraft hi-jacking or a hostage situation.


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Outgoing Navy Chief a role model for exemplary service - Defence Secretary

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) under the strong leadership of its Commander Vice Admiral Piyal de Silva was able to apprehend country’s largest smuggled drug haul at sea, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.


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CRD innovative solutions to assist fight against COVID-19

The Center for Research and Development (CRD) of the Defence Ministry taking a lead in providing much-needed cost effective innovative solutions in assisting the Government’s effort to mitigate the spread of coronavirius in Sri Lanka, showcased a few of its innovations at the Defence Ministry premises, yesterday (May 06).


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Defence and Health ministries ready to face COVID – 19

The Defence Ministry together with the Health Ministry has taken all necessary precautions to prevent spreading Corona virus (COVID 19) to protect Sri Lankans who are arriving from COVID-19 hit - countries and also over 20 million of country’s population, which is vulnerable to the virus.


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Sri Lanka Navy uses satellite information to nab drug smuggling

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) together with the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) have busted, the biggest ever haul of drugs at sea, stocked in three foreign fishing trawlers with 400 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of the ICE (crystal methamphetamine) during a 25 day long joint operation, yesterday.


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Sri Lanka hopes UNHRC would recognise ground realities – Minister Gunawardena

The Government said at today’s UNHRC session that Sri Lanka, in keeping with its consistent policy of continued engagement with the Human Rights Council, wished to respond to the current Report of the High Commissioner and would engage in a constructive discussion with this august assembly today, with the sincere hope that this Council would recognize the realities on the ground.


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Over 200,000 security forces personnel to get ‘Virusara’ privilege cards

The Defence Ministry has decided to issue ‘Virusara Privilege Cards’ (VPCs) to over 200,000 security forces personnel, including families of fallen war heroes and disabled soldiers to provide them discounts from public and private sector institutions.


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Sri Lanka is committed to achieve goals set on accountability and human rights - Minister Gunawardena

The Government said although it has withdrawn  from co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’,  Sri Lanka remains committed to achieving the goals set by the people of Sri Lanka on accountability and human rights, towards sustainable peace and reconciliation.


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LTTE terrorism defeated militarily but few Tamil politicians still propagate its ideology – Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said although the Sri Lankan military had completely defeated LTTE terrorism militarily 10-years ago, the challenge of defeating its separatist ideology still remained as some Tamil politicians were attempting to propagate it in the minds of Tamil people.


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Govt briefs UNHRC President on decision to withdraw from Resolution 40/1

Foreign Ministry Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha affirmed the Human Rights Council (HRC) President Ambassador Elisabeth Fisslberger on the  Sri Lankan Government’s decision to withdraw from its co-sponsorship of resolution 40/1.


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Turkey looks forward in sharing SL’s experiences in countering terrorism

Turkey looks forward in sharing Sri Lanka’s experiences in combating terrorism and enhancing intelligence sharing in a combined effort to combat violent fundamental extremism.


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Govt. strongly objected US’s travel ban on Army Chief

The Government has conveyed Sri Lanka’s strong objections on the imposition of travel restrictions on Sri Lanka’s Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Lt. Gen.Shavendra Silva and immediate family, today.


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Sri Lanka strongly objects US imposing travel ban on Army Chief

While strongly objecting to the imposition of travel restrictions on Army Commander Lt. Gen. Silva and his immediate family by the US, the Government has requested the US to verify the authenticity of the sources of information and to review its decision.


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Timelines evolved externally would hinder process of reconciliation - Sri Lanka’s envoy tell the UN Security Council

The Government has informed the UN that ‘timelines evolved externally in achieving stated objectives would only seek to hinder the process of reconciliation since they would be bereft of ground realities’.