Archives
UNDP Resident Representative Pays Courtesy Call on Defence Secretary
Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, Ms. Azusa Kubota paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence yesterday (13 January).
Indian Navy’s Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Meets Defence Secretary
Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation & Intelligence) of the Indian Navy, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (13 January).
Targeted Financial Sanctions Committee Reviews Preparations for Upcoming Mutual Evaluation
The Targeted Financial Sanctions Committee convened a meeting on 12 January 2026 at the Ministry of Defence Premises, under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, in his capacity as the Competent Authority of Sri Lanka. The aim of this meeting is to review the preparedness of the Targeted Financial Sanctions Committee stakeholders’ for the upcoming Mutual Evaluation scheduled to commence in March 2026.
13th Defence Services Games 2024/2025 Conclude
with Grand Closing Ceremony at Panagoda
The 13th Defence Services Games 2024/2025 concluded successfully with a colourful and dignified closing ceremony held yesterday (12 January) at the Army Cantonment, Panagoda.
Viru Sisu Pradeepa Scholarships Presented to Children of War Heroes
The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its commitment to uplifting the welfare of the veteran community today (13 January) at the Viru Sisu Pradeepa Scholarship Awarding Ceremony, where 25 students from families of war heroes were symbolically presented with educational scholarships.
Well-Wisher Donates Wheelchair to Ministry of Defence Seva Vanitha Unit
In a heartening gesture of social responsibility, Mrs. Christeen Oellrich, a well-wisher from Andiambalama, donated a wheelchair to the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence today (12 January). The donation was handed over to representatives of the SVU to support their ongoing welfare initiatives, highlighting the impact of individual contributions in uplifting those in need.
Ministry of Defence Seva Vanitha Unit Donates ICU Beds to Ampara Base Hospital
Under the coordination of the President of Seva Vanitha Unit of Ministry of Defence, Dr. (Mrs.) Ruvini Rasika Perera, In a bid to strengthen patient care and critical care facilities in the region, a donation of four (04) ICU beds were formally handed over to the Base Hospital, Ampara, today (Jan 09).
High-Level Committee Meets in Parliament
The High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC) convened another meeting at the Parliament complex yesterday (8 January), chaired by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
U.S. Ambassador Makes Farewell Call on Defence Secretary
The outgoing Ambassador of the United States, H.E. Julie Chung, paid a farewell call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (08 January), marking the conclusion of the envoy’s diplomatic tenure in Sri Lanka.
Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence Meets Under the
patronage of the President
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence of the 10th Parliament convened under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (07).
Indian Chief of the Army Staff Meets the Deputy Minister of Defence
The Chief of the Army Staff of Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at his office in Colombo today (07 January). The Chief of the Indian Army arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday, commencing a two day official visit.
Indian Chief of the Army Staff Meets Defence Secretary
The Chief of the Army Staff of Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (7 January). The Indian Army Chief arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday on an official visit.
Ministry of Defence Holds Legal Awareness Programme
on Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 05 of 2025
A special awareness programme on the Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 5 of 2025, was conducted today (06 January) at the Ministry of Defence, aimed at educating the nation’s security and legal leadership on the complexities of illicit wealth recovery. The session, held under the guidance of the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), focused on critical statutory obligations relating to the disclosure of information and the consequences of failure to disclose, which form a cornerstone of the national effort to dismantle organised financial crime.
Tri-Forces Donate LKR. 372 Million, a Day’s pay of All Ranks to
‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day's basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Launches New Year Welfare Initiatives
The Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) launched a series of welfare and community support initiatives today (01 January), under the guidance of its President, Dr. (Mrs.) Ruvini Rasika Perera.
Deputy Minister of Defence Calls for Collective Effort at New Year Ceremony
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), attended the customary commencement of work for the New Year and the taking of the government servants’ oath at the Ministry of Defence this morning (01 January).
Distribution of Foreign Humanitarian Assistance to Victims of the Cyclone Ditwah
Sri Lanka has received Humanitarian assistance from 22 foreign countries and the World Food Programme (WFP) to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah. To ensure the proper management, coordination, and effective distribution of foreign relief supplies among the affected population, the President established the High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC).
President’s New Year Message
As we step into the New Year 2026, we do so as a nation that has shouldered the greatest reform programme and reconstruction effort in our modern history.
President’s Christmas Message
Christians around the world joyfully commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ with deep devotion today (25), marking the sacred celebration of Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
May the joy and peace of the season be with you today and throughout the New Year.
Deputy Minister of Defence Chairs Fifth HL-FRAC Meeting
The fifth meeting of the High-Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC) was held at the Deputy Minister's office yesterday (23 December),chaired by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Egyptian Ambassador Calls on Deputy Minister of Defence
The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, H.E. Adel Ibrahim, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at the Deputy Minister’s Office yesterday (23 Dec).
Ministry of Defence Conducts Cyber Security Awareness Program for
Ministry of Women and Child Affairs
In a proactive move to fortify the nation’s digital frontiers, under the direction of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of National Intelligence, the Defence Cyber Command (DCC) of the Ministry of Defence conducted a comprehensive Cybersecurity Awareness Program for the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs on 19 December 2025.
As a nation, progress can be achieved only by fulfilling our responsibilities with
unwavering determination, without faltering in the face of any challenge
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that national progress cannot be achieved through suspicion and mistrust of one another, but only when everyone fulfils the responsibilities entrusted to them with steadfast determination, unity of purpose and resilience in the face of any challenge.