News
Deputy Minister of Defence Presides Over Public Day in Gampaha
In a significant move to strengthen community engagement, the Ministry of Defence has launched the 'Public Day' initiative. This program is designed to establish a direct and accessible channel of communication, allowing the Ministry to listen, understand, and collaboratively address the concerns of the retired and disabled veterans, the families of the fallen and the general public to share their concerns and collaborate on solutions.
SL Air Force Deploys 11th Aviation Contingent to UN Mission
While 10th Returns
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday deployed its 11th Aviation Contingent to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), while the main group of the 10th SLAF Aviation Contingent returned home after completing a one-year deployment.
Omani and Indonesian Navy Ships Arrive in Colombo
Two foreign naval vessels of the Royal Navy of Oman and the Indonesian Navy arrived at the Port of Colombo today (22 January 2026) on scheduled port calls.
Defence Cyber Command Conducts Cybersecurity Awareness Programme for Ministry of Defence and Affiliated Organizations
The Defence Cyber Command conducted a Cybersecurity Awareness Programme for the staff of the Ministry of Defence and all affiliated organizations, including the Tri-Services and the Police, on 20 January 2026 at the Nandimithra Auditorium, Ministry of Defence.
Deputy Minister Emphasizes Armed Forces Support and Accountability
at HL-FRAC Meeting
The eighth session meeting of the High Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (Supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC) was held at the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence yesterday (21 January), chaired by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd). The meeting was held with a focus on strengthening coordination, transparency, and efficiency in the management of foreign relief assistance.
'EX DOSTI' concludes solidifying strategic maritime bonds
The 17th iteration of the trilateral joint exercise ‘EX DOSTI’ concluded successfully on 19 Jan 26, following four days of cooperative engagement in Maldivian waters.
Sri Lanka Army Dominates Inaugural Lanka Ride 2026
The inaugural edition of Lanka Ride 2026, Sri Lanka’s premier multi-stage cycling tour, concluded in grand style on 18 January 2026.
DSCSC Commandant meets Deputy Minister of Defence
The Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Major General K. W. Jayaweera, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at his office in Colombo today (16 January).
Steering Committee Convenes for Post Disaster Assessment in line with the
‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ National Programme
The Government has officially launched the national programme, ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’, a comprehensive initiative designed to coordinate the nation’s recovery from the extensive devastation caused by ‘Cyclone Ditwah’. This meeting was held on 13 January at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of His Excellency the President.
Thai Pongal Day Message
The Thai Pongal festival, celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by Hindu devotees across the world, falls today (15).
Happy Thai Pongal
Wishing you all a very Happy and prosperous Pongal...
Indian Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff Pays Courtesy Call on
Deputy Minister of Defence
The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation & Intelligence) of India, Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at his office in Colombo today (14 January).
Deputy Minister of Defence Lauds Navy’s ‘Ratama Ekata’ Operations Amidst Disaster Response Challenges
Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), conducted an inspection visit to the Sri Lanka Navy Operations Room at the Navy Headquarters in Akuregoda yesterday (13 January), where he underscored the national importance of the “Ratama Ekata” programme and commended the Sri Lanka Navy for its continuous and effective implementation of the initiative, despite its extensive involvement in rescue and relief operations during the recent national disaster emergency.
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.
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.