Defence Secretary News
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.
Defence Ministry urges public to heed to curfew law
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Government was re-imposing islandwide curfew to restrict public movements and also gatherings to keep spreading of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at bay to ensure public safety and health.
Defence Ministry calls for more public support to fight against COVID-19
While strictly warning rumour mongers to avoid making misleading statements using the cyber space to create unnecessary tension among people over the Government’s efforts to mitigate coronavirus or COVID – 19, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne has requested all Sri Lankans, including those who are living abroad, to support Government’s efforts to contain coronavirus outbreak by being indoors and following the advices given by the Health and Defence ministries.
Commitment of military medics to fight against coronavirus commendable - Defence Secretary
Commending the utmost dedication and fearlessness coupled with true Sri Lankan spirit of the medical teams of the Tri-Forces to control coronavirus, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the military was the first respondents at any disaster situation.
Govt. is fully geared to face coronavirus – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the government was fully geared to ensure the protection of country’s 21.4 million population from coronavirus or COVID -19, today.
Defence Ministry launches first War Veterans’ mobile service from Kalutara
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen.Kamal Gunaratne said the Government, which was committed to look after war –heroes, would revise the existing provisions through a new Cabinet paper to solve anomalies in pension and allowances for fallen and disabled war heroes and their families.
Govt. well geared and focused to face radicalisation, religious extremism and other future threats - Defence Secretary
Attributing radicalisation, re-emergence of terrorism, separatism, religious extremism, organised crimes, drug trafficking and internal disturbances like strikes to main challenges, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Government was well geared and in full focus to ensure country’s national security.
Over 200,000 security forces personnel to get ‘Virusara’ privilege cards
The Defence Ministry has decided to issue ‘Virusara Privilege Cards’ (VPCs) to over 200,000 security forces personnel, including families of fallen war heroes and disabled soldiers to provide them discounts from public and private sector institutions.
Defense Ministry to expedite ‘Virusumithuru’ housing project for families of fallen and disabled soldiers
The Defence Ministry is to expedite the ‘Virusumithuru' housing project, which has been designed to address the housing needs of families of fallen and disabled soldiers.
LTTE terrorism defeated militarily but few Tamil politicians still propagate its ideology – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said although the Sri Lankan military had completely defeated LTTE terrorism militarily 10-years ago, the challenge of defeating its separatist ideology still remained as some Tamil politicians were attempting to propagate it in the minds of Tamil people.