Archives
Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia Forge Stronger Naval Ties to
Combat Maritime Crime
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) held high level discussions with Vice Admiral Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Ghribi, Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), focusing on a comprehensive enhancement of maritime security cooperation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026 at the Defense Ministry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia Explore Strengthening Air Defence Ties
Senior defence officials from Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia met recently to discuss future cooperation in air defence and capability development.
Initiatives on Enhancing Naval Capacity Building
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) met with Vice Admiral Fahad Al Ghofaily, Deputy Chief of General Staff, during his official visit to the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026. The talks focused on strengthening the longstanding bilateral relationship, with the Sri Lankan side expressing gratitude for Saudi assistance during recent national disaster.
Deputy Minister of Defence Underscores Government’s Commitment to
Health Sector Reform at SLCOMM Sessions
The Sri Lanka College of Military Medicine (SLCOMM) has emerged as a cornerstone institution within the defence medical framework. Its steadfast commitment to continuous professional development, research, training, and policy contribution has played a decisive role in strengthening the medical preparedness of the Tri Forces.
Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia Reaffirm Commitment to Closer Defence Ties
Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence ties following a high level bilateral discussion held at the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Defence Secretary Co-Chairs Quarter-Based Integrated Progress
Review Meeting of the Ministry of Defence
The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), co-chaired the Quarter-Based Integrated Progress Review Meeting for the fourth quarter of 2025 of the Ministry of Defence today (13 February). The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. S. Hemantha Kumara, Director General of the Department of Project Management and Monitoring of the Ministry of Finance.
SLNS Sagara and Nandimitra depart for India to participate in International
Fleet Review and MILAN - 26
Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) Sagara and Nandimitra set sail on 11 Feb 26 from the Port of Colombo to Visakhapatnam, India to join the multilateral naval exercise MILAN and International Fleet Review (IFR), hosted by the Indian Navy. The 13th edition of the exercise will be conducted from 17 to 25 Feb 26 at Visakhapatnam and in the waters of the Bay of Bengal.
Sri Lanka Navy earns USD 598,250 in foreign exchange through facilitating Onboard Security Team (OBST) operations in 4 months
The Sri Lanka Navy has generated USD 598,250 in foreign exchange revenue within just four (04) months by independently facilitating Onboard Security Team (OBST) operations. This total revenue has been credited to the Government Consolidated Fund for the benefit of the national economy and public welfare. A press briefing regarding these operations was held on 11 Feb 26, at the Department of Government Information, headed by the Navy’s Director General Operations.
Defence Secretary Attends Iranian National Day Ceremony in Colombo
The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), attended the 47th anniversary ceremony of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a special guest, held at the ITC Ratnadeepa Hotel in Colombo yesterday (11 February).
Deputy Minister of Defence Holds Talks with Saudi Counterpart
A bilateral meeting was held on 09 February, between the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.), and His Excellency Prince Abdulrahman bin Ayyaf Al-Muqrin, the Deputy Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Saudi Defence Ministry. The meeting took place during Deputy Minister Jayasekara’s official visit to the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The year 2026 will be one that gives life to the principle that
“everyone is equal before the law”
Emphasising that no country where the rule of law has collapsed has achieved development, and that in such countries power falls into the hands of criminals, the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the current government is committed to building a nation where the supremacy of the rule of law is firmly established, and that the year 2026 will be one that gives real meaning to the principle that all are equal before the law.
Deputy Minister of Defence Attends World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), attended the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following an official invitation.
MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Convenes AGM 2026
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 of the Ministry of Defence Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) was held at the Ministry of Defence Auditorium today (10 February).
Domestic Aviation Sector Stakeholders Meet Defence Secretary
The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), chaired a stakeholder meeting at the Ministry of Defence today (10 February), to discuss matters affecting the domestic airline operations.
Defence Secretary Attends Chinese New Year Reception in Colombo
The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), attended the Chinese New Year reception held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo yesterday (9 February) as a special guest.
Defence Secretary Reaffirms Commitment to Resilient
Recovery at PDNA Workshop
The official Validation and Finalization Workshop for the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah was held today (9 February) at the BMICH, chaired by the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
Recuperating War Heroes Visit Sacred Devnimori Relics Exposition
War hero inmates of the Ragama Ranaviru Sevana, Abhimansala, and Mihidu Seth Medura who are undergoing recuperation and rehabilitation, visited the exposition to pay homage to the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo today (08 February).
Deputy Minister of Defence Chairs PDNA Meeting at Ministry of Defence
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), chaired a meeting on the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) on 06th February at the Ministry of Defence premises, with the participation of senior officials representing key stakeholder institutions.
Discussion on the Preparation of New Project Proposals for
Year 2027 Held at Ministry of Defence
A discussion on the guidelines to be followed when preparing new project proposals for the year 2027 was held today (06 February) at the Ministry of Defence premises with the participation of Defence Ministry officials. The programme was held in the presence of the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
Meeting Held to Study Feasibility of Introducing Skydiving in Sri Lanka
A meeting to study the feasibility of introducing skydiving activities in Sri Lanka was held at the Ministry of Defence today (05 February). The meeting was chaired by the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
Maldives High Commissioner Pays Courtesy Call on Defence Secretary
The High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka, H.E. Masood Imad, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Ministry of Defence today (5 February).
Italian Defence Attaché Calls On Defence Secretary
The Defence Attaché of Embassy of Italy in New Delhi and accredited to Sri Lanka, Captain (Navy) Armando Paolo SIMI, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Ministry today (5 February).
HL-FRAC Meeting Chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence at Parliament Complex
The High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC) convened another session this week (03 Feb) at the Parliament Complex under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd). The meeting aimed to review the coordination of foreign relief assistance and to implement decisive measures that guarantee full transparency and operational efficiency across all relief efforts.
Defence Secretary Attends Reception in Honour of Diplomatic Corps
The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), attended a reception held in honour of the Diplomatic Corps today (04 February) at the Cinnamon Grand hotel in Colombo.