Archives
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.
“Rebuilding Sri Lanka”
Let us unite and dedicate ourselves to building a new Sri Lanka founded on the essence of our proud history.
78th Independence Day Celebrated with National Pride
Sri Lanka’s 78th National Independence Day was celebrated today (04 February) with a grand state ceremony held at Independence Square in Colombo under the theme “Rebuilding Sri Lanka.”
Independence Day Message - 2026
We commemorate the 78th National Independence Day at a historic moment when, despite numerous challenges, our country is moving steadily forward while regaining economic stability. As Sri Lankans, through our collective struggle, we have within a short period of approximately eighteen months succeeded in achieving tangible economic progress. Amidst adversity, acting collectively and with determination, we have been able to position Sri Lanka on the international stage as a nation branded by a clean and principled political culture, a beautiful country rising with integrity.
Ministry Of Defence Conducts Cybersecurity Awareness Program For The Ministry Of Women And Child Affairs
In a proactive effort to strengthen the nation’s digital security, 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 its second Cybersecurity Awareness Program on 30 January (2026) for the staff of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, including national-level Women’s and Child Unit officers from the Colombo and Gampaha Districts.
Progress Review Meeting on Pettah Bus Terminal Renovation
Project Held at Ministry of Defence
A high-level progress review meeting on the renovation of the Pettah Bus Terminal in Colombo was held Today (03 February) at the Ministry of Defence chaired by the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
Defence Secretary Inspect Renovation Work at Colombo Central Bus Terminal
The Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) accompanied by the Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Sajeewa Kanakaratne visited the Central Bus Terminal in Colombo today (2 February) to inspect the ongoing renovation work being carried out there.
Pakistan High Commissioner Pays Farewell Courtesy Calls on Deputy Minister of Defence and Defence Secretary
The outgoing High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Major General (Retd) Faheem-Ul-Aziz, paid farewell calls on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), today (02 February).