Latest News / News Updates
Defence Secretary Chief Guest at 96th National Boxing Championship
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne graced the closing ceremony of the 96th National Boxing Championship as the Chief Guest at the MAS Arena of Royal College Colombo, yesterday (Jan 17).
Australian new Defence Adviser pays courtesy call on
the Acting Minister of Defence
The Defence Adviser (DA) for the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka Colonel Amanda Johnston paid a courtesy call on the Acting Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, at his office in Colombo today (Jan 17).
State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon appointed as Acting Minister of Defence
His Excellency the President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Switzerland yesterday (Jan 13) to participate in the 54th Annual Conference of World Economic Forum and the President will be on twelve day official visit.
SLAF Helicopter Crash in Central Africa: Defence Ministry Refutes
Al-Shabaab Hostage Claims
The Ministry of Defence in Sri Lanka strongly refuted the allegations that a group of Sri Lankans was taken hostage by the Al-Shabaab militant group after a SLAF helicopter crash-landed in Somalia.
State Minister Tennakoon receives Japanese Finance Minister at BIA
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received the Minister of Finance, Minister of State for Financial Services and Minister in charge of Overcoming Deflation of Japan, Hon. Suzuki Shunichi at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning (Jan 11).
‘INS Kabra’ arrives on a formal visit
Making a formal visit to Sri Lanka, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kabra arrived at the port of Colombo on Monday (Jan 8).
Navy provides assistance to G.C.E Advanced Level candidates in flood affected areas
Sri Lanka Navy relief teams mobilized to serve flood affected communities in the Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa districts continue to provide assistance to students appearing for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination.
SLAF renovates northern schools through 'Wings of Friendship' initiative
"Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), while laying the foundation stone for a new Main Hall building at Milyddi North Kaleimagal Maha Vidyalayam in Kankesanthurai on Jan 6, inaugurated the School Renovation Project in line with the upcoming 73rd Anniversary of the SLAF on March 2, 2024.
New Zealand HC pays farewell call on Sri Lanka Defence Secretary
High Commissioner (HC) of New Zealand for Sri Lanka HE Michael Appleton who will be completing his tenure in Sri Lanka, paid a farewell call on the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne at the Defence Ministry, Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte today (Jan 04).
Actg. Additional Secretary (Defence) takes over duties
Mr. Harsha Vithanaarachchi who has been newly appointed as the Actg. Additional Secretary (Defence), took over duties at the Ministry of Defence in 1st January 2024.
SL- Pak Defence Secretaries chair 4th Sri Lanka-Pakistan Defence Dialogue
The fourth Sri Lanka-Pakistan Defence Dialogue was successfully held at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (Jan 3). The Sri Lankan Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne led the host delegation while the Defence Secretary of Pakistan Lieutenant General (Retired) Hamood Uz Zaman Khan led the visiting delegation at the high level talks.
Kothalawala Defence University Commences the new academic year - 2024
With the dawn of New Year 2024, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University ceremonially commenced its new academic year on 1st January 2024 at the university premises.
Army builds a house for a for Columbuthurai Family
Sri Lanka Army troops of 17 Gemunu Watch (GW) constructed a new house and handed it over to a beneficiary family of four children in Columbuthurai recently supporting to uplift their living standards.
With prudent decision-making, Sri Lanka is poised to experience
significant economic growth in 2024
President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored that decisive actions would lead Sri Lanka to rapid economic growth this year. Despite facing criticism for these challenging decisions, he emphasized that they were undertaken in the best interest of the country. The President expressed his hope for unity in the New Year, urging collaboration among political parties to fulfil their collective responsibility in safeguarding the nation.
State Minister of Defence looks into the welfare of the monks at
flood affected Somawathiya area
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon along with the Chief Incumbent of Somawathiya Viharaya made an inspection visit the flood affected Somawathiya sacred area yesterday (Dec. 31) to inquire into the well-being of the monks and people living there. This area is experiencing floods after heavy rains in the Polonnaruwa District. The State Minister reached the shrine in a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter.
‘Defence Ministry staffers have been entrusted with significant responsibilities and all must endeavour to serve with the utmost dedication’ - State Minister of Defence
The State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon while attending the customary New Year’s Day ceremony at the Defence Ministry this morning (Jan 1) stated ‘Defence Ministry staffers are entrusted with significant responsibilities and all must endeavour to strive to achieve national goals with utmost dedication’.
President's Christmas Day Message
Christmas represents the celebration of hope. "The individuals who traversed in obscurity, burdened with tears and sighs, have witnessed a profound light." In the pursuit of revitalizing that hope, I extend my wishes for all of us to conscientiously fulfil our responsibilities and duties, fostering a Christmas that instils fresh hopes in our nation.
Indonesian naval ship KRI DIPONEGORO- 365 on the island
Making a formal visit to Sri Lanka, the Indonesian Naval Ship KRI DIPONEGORO- 365 arrived at the port of Colombo on Thursday (Dec. 21).
“Colours Nite - 2022” of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
Celebrating and honouring the achievements of 223 KDU sportsmen and sportswomen for their exceptional performance in sports during the year 2022, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) ceremonially conducted its “Colours Nite – 2022” on 12th December 2023 at the Auditorium of Faculty of Graduate Studies of KDU. General SHS Kottegoda (Retd) WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc, the Chancellor of KDU graced this historic event as the Chief Guest.
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SLSR Warrant Officer Carries Silver & Bronze Medals in
‘Asian Powerlifting Championship - 2023’
The Warrant Officer II, S.S Pradeep of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) won 3 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal in the recent ‘Asian Powerlifting Championship - 2023’, held in Malaysia during 10 - 18 December.
Mullattivu, Wanni & Jaffna Troops Busy with Flood Relief Work
228 civilians of 109 families, affected by torrential rains and floods in Mullaittivu and its suburbs were evacuated to safer places by 8 Sri Lanka Artillery troops of the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaitivu in the past 48 hours ending Monday (18 Dec) afternoon.
Inclement weather likely to continue
Showers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces. Several spells of showers may occur in the Hambantota district too.
Pacific Augmentation Team (PAT) and Special Operation Command Pacific (SOCPAC) officials call on the Commander
The Pacific Augmentation Team (PAT) and Special Operation Command Pacific (SOCPAC) officials from the United States of America paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa at Air Force Headquarters yesterday (15 December 2023).
KDU hosts Signature Seminar 2023 responding to Disinformation and
Building Disinformation Resilience
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University's Faculty of Defence & Strategic Studies (FDSS) and the Centre for Strategic Assessment (CSA) hosted the Signature Seminar addressing the issues of Responding to Disinformation and Building Disinformation Resilience with the gracious presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC MP as the Chief Guest on December 14.
No one can curtail the sacred duty bestowed upon the Defence Forces to
safeguard the sovereignty of the nation
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, emphasizing the monumental responsibility borne by the security forces, underscored that protecting the sovereignty of the country is paramount. The President clearly stated that no external interference or restriction shall be tolerated.