News
Defence Secretary Attends Korean National Foundation Day
Celebration in Colombo
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) graced the Korean National Foundation Day ceremony held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, today (2 October).
Deputy Minister of Defence Addresses Senior Officers of the
Sri Lanka Air Force
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), paid an official visit to the Air Force Headquarters at the DHQC in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte today (01 October).
The Day of German Unity - 2025 celebrated in Colombo
The Day of German Unity was celebrated in Colombo this evening (30 September) at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo organized by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sri Lanka. The event marked the 34th anniversary of German reunification, symbolizing unity and progress.
Disaster Management Centers' Quarter - Based Integrated Progress Review Meeting Held at the Ministry of Defence
The Quarter-Based Integrated Progress Review Meeting for the Disaster Management Centre, relating to the Second Quarter of 2025, was held today (30 September) at the Ministry of Defence. The meeting was co - chaired by the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) and the Director General of the Department of Project Management and Monitoring of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. S.S. Mudalige.
Defence Secretary Co - Chairs Quarter Based Integrated Progress Review Meeting of the Ministry of Defence
The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), co-chaired the Quarter Based Integrated Progress Review Meeting 2025 for the Second Quarter of the Ministry of Defence yesterday (29 September) at the Ministry auditorium, together with Mr. S.S. Mudalige, Director General of the Department of Project Management and Monitoring of the Ministry of Finance.
Defence Secretary Graces the 18th International Research Conference of KDU
Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), graced the inauguration of the 18th International Research Conference (IRC) of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) as the chief guest, today (30 September).
Steps Taken to Enforce the Law against Individuals Using Prohibited and Illegally Produced “Hakka Patas” and “Cheena Patas”
It has been reported that an illegal explosive called "Cheena Patas" is being produced in some parts of the island using raw materials and other chemicals issued for the firecracker and fireworks industry.
Defence Secretary Graces 81st Anniversary Celebration of the SLESA
The 81st Anniversary Celebration of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association (SLESA) was held today (28 September) at the Grand Maitland Reception Hall in Colombo, with the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), attending as the Chief Guest.
Audit and Management Committee of the Land Slide
Mitigation Project Convenes at DMC
The Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) participated the Audit and Management Committee (AMC) meeting of the Reduction of Landslide Vulnerability by Mitigation Measures (RLVMM) project, yesterday (26 September) at the Disaster Management Center (DMC).
Saudi Military Attaché Calls on the Defence Secretary
The Military Attaché to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in New Delhi and Colombo, Captain (Navy) Hussain Othman Al kowaileet, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (26 September).
Egyptian Ambassador Meets the Defence Secretary
The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, H.E. Adel Ibrahim, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (26 September).
76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
The 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China was celebrated yesterday (25 September) at the City of Dreams Colombo, with the participation of a distinguished gathering of dignitaries.
Poppy Flower Pinned on Defence Secretary
A Poppy Flower was ceremonially pinned on Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) when a delegation of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA) met him at the Defence Ministry, today (25 September).
French Ambassador meets Defence Secretary
Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka H.E. Rémi Lambert made a call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, at the Defence Ministry today (25 September).
Myanmar Defence Attaché meets Defence Secretary
Defence Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Brigadier General Zaw Moe Lwin paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Ministry, today (25 September).
Mongolian Defence Attaché Calls on Deputy Minister of Defence and
Defence Secretary
The Defence Attaché of Mongolia accredited to Sri Lanka, Colonel Odsuren Zayat, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekera (Retd), today (25 September) at his office in Colombo.
UNHCR Delegation Meets Defence Secretary
A high-level United Nations delegation met the Defence Secretary, yesterday (Sep 24) to discuss enhancing collaboration in international peacekeeping missions and strengthening human rights initiatives.
12th Galle Dialogue Commences in Colombo
The 12th edition of the “Galle Dialogue” International Maritime Conference, organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, commenced today (24 September) at the Wave n’ Lake Navy Hall, Welisara, Colombo.
Defence Secretary Meets Fireworks Manufacturers
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) convened a meeting with representatives of the fireworks manufacturing industry at the Ministry of Defence today (Sep 24).
Deputy Minister of Defence and Defence Secretary
Visit Indian Naval Ship ‘INS SATPURA’
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) made a visit to the Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘SATPURA’ at the Port of Colombo yesterday (23 September).
French Envoy Meets Deputy Minister of Defence to
Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
The Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka H.E. Rémi Lambert accompanied by his delegation met with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), yesterday (Sep 22). The meeting served as a progressive step towards further strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.
Indian Navy Chief Meets SL Defence Top Brass
Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka, paid courtesy calls on Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) today (22 September) in two separate meetings.
Sri Lanka Defence Secretary Highlights the Importance of Regional Dialogue and China-Sri Lanka Cooperation at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), addressing the high profile gathering at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China, emphasized the significance of collective dialogue, regional cooperation, and mutual respect in addressing global and regional security challenges.
Poppy Flower pinned on Deputy Minister of Defence
A Poppy Flower was ceremonially pinned on Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) by President of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA), Major General LM Mudalige (Retd) today (Sep 19) to mark Poppy Day.
SLAF Powers Landmark Colombo Bus Terminal Renovation
The Colombo Central Bus Terminal Renovation Project was officially launched this morning (15 September 2025) under the patronage of the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as part of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka' programme.