Defence Secretary News
Colombo Security Conclave - 4th NSA-Level Trilateral Meeting
Sri Lanka hosted the fourth National Security Adviser (NSA)-level Trilateral meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation with India and the Maldives. The inaugural trilateral meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation was held in the year 2011 as an initiative of the former Secretary, Ministry of Defence and the current Sri Lankan President His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa. A series of trilateral meetings had been convened successfully but the last meeting was held over 6 years ago in New Delhi, India in March 2014.
NSA level trilateral meeting commenced
The 4th National Security Adviser (NSA) Level Trilateral Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation was commenced with the participation of NSA level delegates from India and Maldives at the Taj Samudra, Colombo short while ago (28 Nov).
SLAF led aerial observations to curb deforestation - Defence Secretary
Raising concerns into widespread illegal forest resources degradation, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said, attention into deforestation is imperative and it is vital to identify such attempts before logging.
Sri Lanka has a major role to play in the Indian Ocean as never before - Defence Secretary
The Indian Ocean that harnesses vital ‘Sea Lines of Communication’ linking the ‘East’ and the ‘West’ is considered to be the gateway for the seven seas, said Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne emphasising that Sri Lanka, being part of this strategic ocean mass, obviously has a major role to play in the Indian Ocean as never before.
Two newly commissioned lady pilots write the SLAF history - Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said today is a very special day for the Air Force and the entire country as we mark the commissioning of two lady pilots for the first time in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) history while extending his heartiest congratulations to the newly commissioned SLAF officers.
The ‘Deegawapiya Stupa’ restoration project inaugurated
The Prime Minister and the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone for the inaugural ‘Deegawapiya Stupa’ restoration project auspiciously at the Deegawapiya premises in Ampara today (11 Nov).
Defence Secretary pledges to protect archaeological sites
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said being a person who has served a lengthier tenure in Northern and Eastern Provinces in the island, I have seen the extent of devastation has taken place at the sacred places of Buddhist’s worship.
Outgoing Air Force Chief bids farewell
Outgoing Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias paid a courtesy farewell call on Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne at the Ministry, today (Oct 29).
Defence Secretary declares open KIOSK SHOP at the Army HQ
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne accompanied by Defence Ministry’s Seva Vanitha Unit Chairperson Chitrani Gunaratne declared open the 'KIOSK SHOP' at the Army Headquarters, Battaramulla today (Oct 29).
Plans are afoot to renovate Deegawapiya Stupa
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne held a discussion with Maha Sanga about the proposed renovations of sacred Deegawapiya Stupa at the Defence Ministry yesterday (Oct 16).
Indian Defence Advisor Meets Defence Secretary
Indian Defence Adviser in Sri Lanka Capt. Vikas Sood met Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, at the Ministry today (Oct 09).
State Sector, Tri Forces and Police involved mechanism to curb deforestation - Defence Secretary
Raising concerns into the widespread illegal forest resources degradation in Vanni, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said it was saddened to say that its effects largely impact not only to the Vanni area, but to the entire country in general.
Scouting must be promoted to safeguard the younger generation – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said, by realizing how much scouting can do, one must exert every effort to promote the spirit of scouting into the Sri Lankan community.
‘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).
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.
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.
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).
No space for terrorism again - Defence Secretary
Those who propagate separatism were trying to revamp terrorism but the Government would not leave space for anyone to take national security into task, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Defence Secretary assures to complete reconstruction work of St. Anthony’s Shrine soon
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, who visited the St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, today (July 1), has taken swift measures to strengthen security and also assured to complete the balance reconstruction work of the Shrine, which was badly damaged due to the Easter Sunday bomb attack, soon.
Defence Secretary praises Met Dept. for accurate weather forecast than earlier
The Meteorology Department is to get new equipment, analytical software and systems for accurate weather forecasts soon, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Sri Lanka will be a just and safe country for all communities to live - Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne assured to form a society free of drugs menace, underworld activities, organized crimes and extortion for all communities to live in a just and safe country in the future.
Police acted on court orders and quarantine law to disperse protesters - Defence Secretary
Police, which had taken the protesters of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) into custody, had acted on a court order and also under the provisions of the quarantine law which was strictly enforced to contain the spread of coronavirus, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Japanese Govt. praises Sri Lankan military’s role in combating coronavirus
The Japanese Government has commended the role of the military and Police in supporting the health authorities to combat coronavirus in the country.
Military and Police proved their professionalism and expertise in handling coronavirus mitigation – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Tri-Forces and Police had proved their professionalism and expertise by supporting the Government efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
No decision to declare complete lockdown – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen.(Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said considering the present situation related to COVID-19 in the country, the government had not taken a decision to announce a complete lockdown during the next week.