Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

News

News | News

Pakistan NDU Delegation Visits Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence

A delegation from the Pakistan National Defence University (NDU), headed by Commodore Muhammad Ali, paid a visit to the Ministry of Defence at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, today (May 05).


News | News

ICRC Head of Delegation Meets Defence Secretary

Ms. Severine Chappaz, Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sri Lanka, met with Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) at the Ministry of Defence in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (May 05).


News | News

Navy’s EOD & CBRNE Experts Hone Tactics in Trincomalee

A total of 24 personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy’s Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and three members from the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) participated in a specialized training program on Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (EOD & CBRNE). The program was designed to enhance operational capabilities and promote knowledge sharing in EOD and CBRNE response techniques, Navy media says.


News | News

First Female Military Observer From SLAF Honoured In Minurso

The prestigious United Nations Peacekeepers' Medal Awarding Parade for military Observers deployed in the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINUSRO) was held on 30 April 2025.


News | News

Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) appointed
as Acting Minister of Defence

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has left the island on an official visit to Vietnam.


News | News

Japanese Defence Minister visits Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral
defence collaboration

Making an official high-level visit aimed at enhancing diplomatic relations and defence collaborations the Japanese Minister of Defence Hon. Nakatani Gen arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday (May 03).


News | News

5th Iteration of SL-Pakistan Defence Dialogue Concludes

Demonstrating the shared commitment to enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, the 5th Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue was successfully concluded on April 30 in Islamabad, Pakistan. The high-level discussions, which commenced on April 28, brought together senior defence officials from both countries to review existing partnerships and explore new avenues for Defence relations and cooperation.


News | News

Defence Secretary Meets Pakistani Navy Chief

As part of the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) held a side-line meeting on Thursday (May 01) with Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan.


News | News

Defence Secretary Meets Pakistani Minister for
Economic Affairs and Army Chief

As part of the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) held a side-line meeting on Tuesday (Apr 29) with General Asim Munir, Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan.


News | News

Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue Strengthens Strategic Ties

The 5th annual Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue commenced on Monday (Apr 28) in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking a continued commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.


News | News

SLNS Samudura departs to participate in IMDEX Asia 2025 in Singapore

SLNS Samudura on 27 Apr 25 set sail from the Port of Colombo to Changi, Singapore to join the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2025, Asia Pacific's leading naval and maritime defence event. The vessel was ceremoniously sent off from Colombo, following traditional naval customs.


News | News

Tri Forces Humanitarian Team Returns After Myanmar Relief Mission

The specially deployed Tri Forces Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Team returned home today (Apr 26) at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after the successful completion of their emergency relief mission in Myanmar.


News | News

Deputy Minister of Defence Pays Final Respects to Late His Holiness Pope Francis

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), visited the Vatican Embassy this morning (Apr 25) to express his condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.


News | News

Deputy Minister of Defence Pays Tribute at ANZAC Memorial Ceremony

Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), paid tribute at the ANZAC memorial monument during the annual ANZAC Day commemoration held today (Apr 25) at the Jawatte Cemetery in Colombo 05.


News | News

Defence Secretary Instructs to Strengthen Welfare Facilities and Security Arrangements in place for Devotees Attending the Dalada Exposition

The Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) is on an inspection visit to Kandy on yesterday and today (Apr 22 & 23) to inspect the progress of the welfare infrastructure facilities and security arrangements in place for the public attending the Dalada exposition at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.


News | News

Deputy Minister of Defence Highlights Strengthening Sri Lanka - Korea Ties During visit to ROK Ship

The Republic of Korea Navy’s destroyer ‘Kang Gam Chan’ received a ceremonial welcome on its arrival at the Port of Colombo today (Apr 22). The ship is making an official visit to the country.


News | News

Condolence message on the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis

The Ministry of Defence expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.

His legacy of peace and compassion will forever inspire humanity.


News | News

Defence Secretary Directs Enhanced Security Measures for
Easter Sunday Church Services

During a special meeting held today (Apr 17), the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) instructed the Tri-Forces Commanders to implement comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of worshippers attending Christian church services on Easter Sunday.


News | News

Defence Secretary Reviews Preparations for Special Exposition
of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa today (April 16) to assess the preliminary arrangements for the upcoming special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, scheduled to be open to the public from April 18 to 27.


News | News

New Year Message

As we celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year this year, a festival that symbolises the hope of both physical and spiritual renewal, our nation finds itself at a defining moment, achieving significant victories while resolutely striving towards the realisation of a better and more prosperous future.


News | News

Happy Sinhala & Tamil New Year ...!

May you all have a peaceful, happy and prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year...!


News | News

Press Release

In a significant step towards strengthening maritime safety and ensuring swift response to sea-borne emergencies, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) has introduced a dedicated 24-hour emergency hotline - 106 - directly connected to the SLCG Operations Room.


News | News

Sri Lankan Tri-Service Relief Team Continues
Humanitarian Efforts in Myanmar

A specially deployed Sri Lankan Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Team, consisting of personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, continues to support on-going disaster recovery operations in Myanmar following the recent powerful earthquake that caused significant damage and displacement.


News | News

New Deputy Military Liaison Officer Assumes Office

Brigadier AKD Adikari, the newly appointed Deputy Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence, officially assumed duties today (Apr 09) during an auspicious time.


News | News

A Series of Programs to Educate Defence Ministry Officials on the
Clean Sri Lanka Initiative

The first phase of the Series of programs, aimed at raising awareness among non-executive staff officers from institutions under the purview of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and gathering their feedback and suggestions, was held today (Apr 8) at the MoD premises.