r Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

Latest News / News Updates

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Army assists flood affected communities in Badulla

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops rushed to assist flood affected people in Badulla following torrential rains had caused disruptions to normal life there during the past several days.


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Another plot of land released in Puthukkuddiyirippu

A plot of land in the Mullaithivu district that was used by the Army has been handed back. According to Army media sources, eleven (11) acres of land not belonging to the State was symbolically released to the Mullaittivu District Secretariat on Sunday (Oct 28) during a brief ceremony at the 682 Brigade Headquarters.


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Rainy weather to continue

The inclement weather condition being experienced in many parts of the country is expected to enhance further according to the latest forecasts by the Met Department.


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Sri Lanka Navy takes delivery of Ex-USCGC Douglas Munro

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) formally took the delivery of the EX-United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Douglas Munro, provided by the United States to SLN, in a ceremony held at the U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle of Washington in the United States on 26th October 2021. On behalf of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the event was attended by Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral YN Jayarathne. As such, the ship formally joined the SLN fleet from 26th October 2021 under the pennant number P 627 and the main mast of the ship will fly the National Flag effective from the very date.


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Vavuniya Bogaswewa Maha Vidyalaya receives RO Plant

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) continuing its community welfare oriented services vested in another Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant for water-stressed residents and students in Vavuniya Bogaswewa Maha Vidyalaya yesterday (Oct 25).


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New application form for firearm renewal introduced

A new application form has been introduced for renewal of firearm licenses. The application form is available in the Ministry’s website.


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President’s Message on Milad Un Nabi

Today is the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, who showed to the world that benevolence and honesty are the two characteristics that needed for a person to be trusted by everyone.


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'Way Forward Strategy-2020-2025' Takes One More Milestone Step Forward Raising 1st Corps of SLA

The landmark unification of Reserve Strike Divisions, Special Operations Forces and elements of other arms in the Sri Lanka Army as 1 Corps of the Sri Lanka Army occurred this morning (17) during a formal ceremony at Saliyapura Gajaba Regiment Regimental HQ premises as promulgated in the Army Commander's 'Way Forward Strategy 2020-2025' for the organization.


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A squadron of Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet arrives at port of Colombo

A squadron of the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet which included the Corvette ‘Gremyashchy’ and submarines ‘B – 603’ and ‘B – 274’ arrived at the Colombo harbour today (16th October 2021). Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ships in precision with naval traditions as they arrived at the port of Colombo.


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Defence Secretary laid foundation stone for Deeghawapiya ‘Pilgrims Rest’

Defence Secretary and Chairperson of ‘Archaeological Heritage Management Presidential Task Force’ (PTF) for Eastern Province, Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) laid the foundation stone for the proposed ‘Pilgrims Rest’ at the Deeghawapiya Raja Maha Viharaya premises amidst the religious blessings today (15 July).


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Dr. Subramanian Swamy MP guest speaker at INSS Security Salon

Eminent scholar and Member of Parliament, India Dr. Subramanian Swamy was the guest speaker at the Security Salon organized by the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) last evening (Oct 13).


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Defence Secretary graces National event of IDDRR

National event to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) themed ‘COVID-19 and systemic risks’ was held in the form of a hybrid event at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) today (Oct 13).


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Indian Army Chief to arrive in the country tomorrow

Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army (COAS) General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC is scheduled to arrive in the country on a five-day goodwill visit on Tuesday (Oct 12).


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New application form for Clearance of Dangerous Cargo

Permission for the ingress, discharge, transshipment and clearance of vessels carrying dangerous cargo to Sri Lanka is issued by the Ministry of Defence.


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SLN sets up another RO Plant in Mahawa

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) extending Naval Social Responsibility initiative vested another Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant yesterday (Oct 10) for the residents in Bakmeegahawatta, Mahawa.


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The speech delivered by His Excellency the President at the 72nd Army Day Celebration

It was a great pleasure to participate in today’s parade and other ceremonies, which were held to mark the 72nd Army Day. As a young person, I started my life serving in the military. I served in the Army for 20 years. Subsequently, I served as the Secretary of Defence for 10 years. I began my military career in the Signal Corps. Next I served in the Sinha Regiment. After that a new regiment called ‘Rajarata Rifles’ was established at this place when General Denis Perera was the Army Commander. I came to that regiment as a Founding Officer. I also chose this premise for the headquarters.


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Historic 72nd Army Day Makes History for ‘Home of Gajaba’ with HE the President as Chief Guest

‘Home of Gajaba’ at Saliyapura on the Sri Lanka Army’s 72nd Anniversary Day (10 October) assumed the form of a glittering state ceremony this morning (10) as the whole Gajaba Regimental Centre complex adorned itself with festive spirits and fluttering multi-coloured Army flags in order to welcome HE the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who graced the Army Day anniversary ceremonials at Saliyapura which was his fort many moons ago when he was a career officer in the prestigious Gajaba Regiment.


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SLN sets up 874th RO Plant to facilitate rural community

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) continuing its community welfare-oriented services vested another Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant, for water-stressed residents in Rajavigama, Karuwalagaswewa yesterday (Oct 09).


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President reviews Sandahiru Seya project

His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reviewed the progress of Sandahiru Seya construction and scheduled work while arriving at the Stupa premises in Anuradhapura today (Oct 09).


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Navy assists to upgrade facilities at rural schools

A rural school in the Kalutara district was the beneficiary of the Naval Social Responsibility project (NSR) of  Sri Lanka Navy. Kelinkanda Janapadaya Primary School in Agalawatta, Kalutara was renovated under the Navy’s NSR project which coincided with its 70th anniversary celebrations, reports Navy media.


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Air Force presents medical equipment to treat COVID-19 patients

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) had presented two Heated Humidified Oxygen Therapy Units to health authorities, to be used in government hospitals on Wednesday (Oct 06), reports SLAF media.


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Firearm licence renewal dates for 2022

The Defence Ministry has informed of dates for renewal of firearm licence for the year 2022.


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Our children are the future of the nation - President

In the face of the current global pandemic, the restrictions imposed on the imagination of the entire generation of children and their world are many. The
school classroom and the playground are still at a distance from our children...


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Defence Secretary delivers Guest Lecture at UNODC Workshop for Prison officials

The conduct of prison officials makes the difference between the incarcerated drug lords and underworld gangsters in prisons to continue operating their networks from within prisons or put a stop to all their sinister operations.


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Sandahiru Stupa will be vested in devotees in November, 2021 - Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) denoting the culmination of Sandahiru Stupa construction process said this sacred Stupa would be vested in the public in November this year.