News
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.
Demand for narcotics high, despite coronavirus threat – SLN Commander Vice Admiral De Silva
· Reveals the SLN has busted an international drug shipment; seizes Rs. 12.5 billion narcotics in high seas
The Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) on 28 March, confiscated approximately a ton of narcotics including 500kgs of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), being transported on a fishing vessel in international waters in the Indian Ocean.
Amidst COVID-19 threat, military is on high alert to maintain national security- Defence Secretary
· Says all intelligence agencies are strengthened to prevent any security threat
While the entire world is engulfed in COVID-19 fear, the Sri Lankan Government, which is taking all possible precautionary measures to contain the virus, has taken serious measures to combat drug trafficking, terrorism and extremism to maintain national security, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Quarantined 206 returnees released from SLAF Quarantine Centre in Vanni
A total of 206 persons, who had undergone a mandatory quarantine period at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) established quarantine center at Vanni, have been released in the morning today (March 31).
Navy seizes largest ever drug haul worth over Rs. 12,500 million
Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN) Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS ‘Sayura’ has seized a vessel carrying a large consignment of narcotics in seas about 463 nautical miles (835km) off the country's Southern coast.
Curfew passes to be issued only for essential services – Police
Media can get curfew passes under essential services.
The Police said curfew passes would not be issued except for essential services and for the patients in critical conditions under the recommendations of Divisional Medical Officer of Health or Public Health Inspector.
Navy distributed drinking water and dry rations among needy
The Navy conducted a social responsibility program to distribute drinking water and dry ration among religious places and poor families in the North Central Naval Command from March 26 to 27.
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.
Curfew re-imposed to restrict people’s movements - Acting IGP C.D.Wickramaratne
Strictly prohibiting travel between all districts in the country, the Police curfew, which is in force in Colombo, Gampaha and Puttalam districts and the Northern Province will be lifted...
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.
Govt. requests public to refrain from gatherings and movements during declared holidays
With newly reported nine patients and the total confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 50 today, the Government has urged the public to refrain from joining leisure tours and pilgrimages during the holidays declared by the State to prevent the rapidly spreading coronavirus.
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Govt. urges more public support to control spreading of COVID -19
The Government has urged passengers, who have returned from coronavirus hit countries from March 1 to 9, to undergo self-quarantine in their homes to avoid spreading the coronavirus (COVID-19), today.
Defence Ministry urges Lankan passengers, who evade quarantine to register with Police immediately
The Ministry of Defence requests all Sri Lankans who arrived from European countries including UK, Iran, Italy and South Korea from March 1 to 15 to register themselves at the nearest Police station or inform the Police, immediately.
Defence Ministry takes legal action against rumor mongers on COVID- 19 via social media
The Defence Ministry has decided to take legal action against those who are spreading rumors and posting false and mislleadinf information via social media platforms and other digital media sites on coronavirus to create panic among people.
AASL Chief rebuffs rumors on plans to shut down airports due to COVID-19
The Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) has refuted rumors over plans to shut down the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), today.
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.
Govt. says no need for public to panic buying and stockpiling of goods
The Government has requested the public not to get panic and stockpiling goods from supermarkets and other retail shops due to fears triggered after some rumors of conducting house-to-house quarantines to detect Corona virus (COVID- 19) carriers.
Defence and Health ministries ready to face COVID – 19
The Defence Ministry together with the Health Ministry has taken all necessary precautions to prevent spreading Corona virus (COVID 19) to protect Sri Lankans who are arriving from COVID-19 hit - countries and also over 20 million of country’s population, which is vulnerable to the virus.
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.
Sri Lanka Navy uses satellite information to nab drug smuggling
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) together with the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) have busted, the biggest ever haul of drugs at sea, stocked in three foreign fishing trawlers with 400 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of the ICE (crystal methamphetamine) during a 25 day long joint operation, yesterday.
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.
Police, Navy and Army intensify fight against drug smuggling
The Defence Ministry has given instructions to security forces, including the Police, to intensify raids on widespread illegal drug smuggling, including kerala ganja (cannabis), to eradicate drug menace and also to prevent illegal drugs coming into the country.
Sri Lanka hopes UNHRC would recognise ground realities – Minister Gunawardena
The Government said at today’s UNHRC session that Sri Lanka, in keeping with its consistent policy of continued engagement with the Human Rights Council, wished to respond to the current Report of the High Commissioner and would engage in a constructive discussion with this august assembly today, with the sincere hope that this Council would recognize the realities on the ground.
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.