Latest News / News Updates
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.
President pledges to protect Sri Lanka's sovereignty without succumbing to any force
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasized that he will take the country towards prosperity while safeguarding the people and protecting the sovereignty of the country without succumbing to any force.
Defence Secretary calls for more donor support to complete new drug rehab centre
Chief Prelate of Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Pannila Ananda thero has donated Rs. Five million to expedite the construction process of ‘Nawa Diganthaya’, the new building, which is now under construction to rehabilitate drug addicts, in Nittambuwa.
Stern action will be taken against corrupt officials in state institutions - Defence Secretary
Cautioning the government officers who were involved in corruption, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the good work done by many dedicated officers in state institutions were at stake due to a few corrupt officers among them.
Measures to be taken to prevent land grabs
Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa assumed duties
Security and defence crucial for country’s development – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said national security and defence were paramount for country's development.
Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne reappointed as Defence Secretary
Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne has been reappointed as the Secretary to the Defence Ministry by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, today.
Defence Ministry comes under President Rajapaksa's purview
While retaining the Defence Ministry under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's purview, he has appointed MP Chamal Rajapaksa as the State Minister during the swearing-in ceremony held at the historic Magul Maduwa (Audience Hall) of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, today (Aug 12).
Thirty five State institutions under purview of Defence Ministry
Thirty five State institutions have been brought under the purview of the Defence Ministry and Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management State Ministry by the new Gazette Notification issued this week.
Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as 13th Premier of Sri Lanka
Former President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the 13th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara this morning.
Sri Lanka’s success on mitigating Coronavirus outbreak a collective effort – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said Sri Lanka would be the only nation in the world that deployed the intelligence service successfully to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus outbreak.
Hajj a festival to embrace spirit of peaceful coexistence - President
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his message on Hajj Festival today (August 01) has stated that Hajj festival this year would be an occasion for all Muslims to embrace the greatness of Allah and the spirit of peaceful coexistence.
Govt. curbs man-made threats by imposing tough law enforcement - Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said although mitigating natural disasters were difficult, the Government had taken all initiatives to curb man-made threats by imposing a strict law enforcement mechanism in the recent past.
Arch child soldier recruiter Adele Balasingham still living in UK, a challenge UK faces - Lord Naseby
All Party British Sri Lanka Parliamentary Group President Lord Michael Naseby said United Kingdom faced a challenge as Adele Balasingham, who was the arch recruiter and trainer of the now defunct LTTE’s child soldiers, was still residing comfortably in the UK.
China, Sri Lanka’s historical ally in many fronts - Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said historical relationship between China and Sri Lanka had been growing on the mutual trust built on pillars of political, economic, cultural, educational and most importantly in defence over the years.
Secure and safe environment for children a must - Defence Secretary
“Children need to be safeguarded from all forms of abuse and it is a must that we create a secure and safe environment for children”, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Defence Secretary praises military medics' support in fighting against coronavirus
Dedicated and fearlessly committed, military medical teams had assisted the government by conducting quarantine program well to mitigate the spread of coronavirus outbreak in the country, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Defence diplomacy and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan are getting stronger - Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said defence diplomacy and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan had been growing from strength to strength through mutual trust built on political, economic, cultural and educational relationships between two countries.
Nine Senior Police officers appointed as Hostage Negotiators
Nine senior Police officers have been appointed as Hostage Negotiators, the first of such an initiative in Sri Lanka, in keeping with international aviation obligations as a part of crisis management during a possible aircraft hi-jacking or a hostage situation.
President pledges to overcome the challenge of protecting people from COVID-19
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pledged that all measures would be undertaken to protect people from the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic and all efforts would be directed at eradicating the virus from the country.
Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne assumes office as the 24th Navy Commander
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne as the 24th Sri Lanka Navy Commander, while promoting him to the three star rank of Vice Admiral with effect from today (July 15).
Outgoing Navy Chief a role model for exemplary service - Defence Secretary
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) under the strong leadership of its Commander Vice Admiral Piyal de Silva was able to apprehend country’s largest smuggled drug haul at sea, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
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.
MEPA to monitor ship-generated waste facilities from tomorrow
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) together with Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka coast Guards, Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Police is to inspect Ship Generated Waste (SGW) reception facilities in the country from tomorrow.
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.