Last modified on: 2/4/2012 9:34:38 AM

Speech delivered by Secretary Defence at 'Uttama Pooja' Medal awarding Ceremony - Matale

'Great pleasure to see the steady consolidation of supreme independence'- President       [February 04  2012] "Our nation is fortunate to celebrate the 64th Independence Day with a genuine sense of dignity about freedom" stated H. E President and |C-in-C Mahinda Rajapaksa. "The country's achievements would be secured when opportunities for peace,...  Full Story

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESETTLEMENT Smugglers dump Canada-bound bogus asylum seekers in Togo UN assists farmers in North Actions speak louder than words 64th Independence Day to be celebrated in Grand Scale      [February 03  2012] All Sri Lankans are preparing to celebrate the 64th Independence Day on a grand scale. The national flag is has already been hoisted in all the government institutions, vehicles and houses throughout the island.  Full Story Remembering inaugural independence parade  [February 03  2012] "It was a clear shiny day. I still feel the wind touched my cheek blowing across the Gall face Green refreshing everyone gathered to witness the inaugural independence parade.   Full Story LTTE's trail of atrocities: Suicide blast at Fort Railway station [February 03  2012] Four years have passed since the suicide blast at the Fort Railway Station which killed over12 persons including seven members of D S Senanayake College, Colombo, baseball team.   Full Story US- EU punishing us, small countries- President     [February 02  2012] As the United States' and European Union's combined sanction against Iran take effect, small nations like Sri Lanka are extremely worried said President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Foreign Journalists, yesterday( Jan 01), at the Temple Trees in Colombo.  Full Story Ambassador Wickramasuriya hosts international correspondents committee of National Press Club [February 02  2012] WASHINGTON -Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya hosted a group of foreign correspondents here in a January 25 reception held at his residence, prompting a discussion of events in Sri Lanka since the end of the conflict against terrorism nearly three years ago.   Full Story Maritime security dominates Indo-Lanka Defence Dialogue        [February 01  2012] Matters related to maritime security and international cooperation in the Indian Ocean dominated the inaugural meeting of the India-Sri Lanka annual Defence Dialogue held here Tuesday (Jan 31).   Full Story Sri Lanka High Commission hosts London Consular Corps Seminar         [February 01  2012] Executive Committee member of the Consular Corps of London, Chaminda Kularatne organised the 999 Seminar of their Consular gathering at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Hyde Park Gardens, London recently.   Full Story Iranamadu Project gets 22 M US Dollar assistance         [February 01  2012] The International Fund for Agricultural Development will grant a 22.2 million U.S.Dollar loan to Sri Lanka to improve irrigation infrastructure and crop diversification, and help create new market opportunities for small holder farmers in Northern Province.   Full Story Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa rejects testimony attributed to unnamed Gen        [January 31  2012] Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that none of the Majors General directly involved in eelam war IV had made a testimony to any US lawyer, in New York in 2010, alleging extrajudicial killings of civilians, surrendering LTTE cadres and dissident journalists during eelam war IV.   Full Story Custom-made Three Wheelers for disabled war heroes         [January 31  2012] Ranaviru Seva Authority donated set of custom-made Three Wheelers to disable war heroes who risked their lives and limbs to eliminate the terrorism from the country.   Full Story SL among Kuoni's top five destinations       [January 31  2012] Sri Lanka has been named among the top five destinations in Kuoni's annual poll of where UK customers want to spend their holidays. Sri Lanka also retained the number one destination for weddings according to the report.   Full Story Rs. two billion for Northern health development       [January 31  2012] The Health Ministry received Rs. two billion from the Global Fund to develop health facilities in the Northern Province as a response to a request made by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.   Full Story Prawn farming project in Kilinochchi        [January 31  2012] A natural prawn farming project was launched under the guidance and assistance of NAQDA in the Chundikulam reservoir in the Kilinochchi district by Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda.   Full Story Home-grown solutions to Lanka's issues    'Stand united to achieve equity':  [January 30  2012] 'In finding solutions to whatever issues the country faces, the government would always look for home-grown methods, that meet the aspirations and needs of the people, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.  Full Story Army reformulating its doctrinal training modules establishes its first ARTRAC for future generations      [January 30  2012] Sri Lanka Army, taking one more great step forward in the reformulation of its training modules that cater to the needs of multifaceted present and future scenarios, established its first state-of-the-art Army Training Command (ARTRAC) Headquarters at Diyatalawa on Sunday (29) during a brief ceremony.   Full Story Deyata Kirula 2012 exhibition to commence in grand scale      [January 29  2012] Sri Lanka's biggest public exhibition Deyata Kirula is to commence in a grand scale for the 6th consecutive period at Tantirimale Oyamaduwa in Anuradhapura on 4th February afternoon.  Full Story More new Tourist Hotels in Pasikuda [January 28 2012] Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that 14 new hotels are being constructed in the Pasikuda Tourist Zone by the private sector businessmen investing Rs. 6,530 Million for the construction of these hotels. Full Story 2012, another positive year for Sri Lankan tourism - BMI [January 28 2012] Business Monitor International (BMI) believes the outlook is still bright for Sri Lanka tourism and forecast a 55% rise in tourist arrivals to 1.42mn tourists over BMIs newly extended forecast period to 2016. Full Story Sri Lanka needs our support says Europe [January 28 2012] The European Parliament Members (MEPs) have generally agreed that Sri Lanka needs Europe's constructive support and encouragement, rather than constant harassment in overcoming problems and building a more prosperous and secure future for all Sri Lankans. Full Story Tourism earnings grew at healthy rate - CB [January 27 2012] During 2011, earnings from tourism grew at a healthy rate of 44.2 percent to US$ 830 million in 2011 compared to 2010, the Central Bank reported Wednesday in its External Sector Performance Reviews. Full Story US delegates visit Kilinochchi security forces headquarters [January 27 2012] A foreign diplomatic delegation, including US Deputy Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asian Affairs recently met Major General A.W.J.C. de Silva, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Kilinochchi with a view to receiving an update on various development and security roles of the troops. Full Story President opens a new building in Defence Services College  [January 26  2012] Colombo City Tour 2nd anniversary celebrations with children of war heroes  [January 26 2012] Youth camp held in Vavuniya  [January 26 2012] Colombo-Jaffna Domestic flights  [January 26 2012] LTTE brutal attack to the Temple of Tooth marks 14 years  [January 25 2012] Jaffna students who passed the GCE(A/L) with highest marks are awarded [January 25 2012] Contributing towards the Veterans [January 24  2012]