Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

Press Release

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MOD Supports Ministry of Public Security in Special Joint Operation to Ensure Community Safety

The Ministry of Defence extending its full support to the Ministry of Public Security, launched a special joint security operation in the Kadana, Wattala, and Ragama Police areas on the evening of 4th July. The objective of this operation was to enhance community safety, curb illegal activities, and restore public confidence in law enforcement efforts.


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SLN and SLAF Mobilized to Rescue Distressed Fishermen

A fishing trawler carrying five fishermen capsized off the southern coast of Koggala and another empty dinghy boat washed on Aluthgama beach earlier today (June 28), prompting an immediate rescue operation coordinated by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Air Force (SLAF).


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Press Release

Human Trafficking has been identified as the fastest growing organized crime in the world, which has become a challenge not only for Sri Lanka but also for the entire international community.


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Expression of Gratitude

The Ministry of Defence extends its profound appreciation to the local community of Maduruoya, the medical professionals and personnel of the Aralaganwila Divisional Hospital and Polonnaruwa Base Hospital, and the dedicated members of the fire and ambulance services for their invaluable assistance following the Bell 212 helicopter accident on 9 May 2025 at the Special Forces Camp during a passing-out parade display performance rehearsals.


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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.


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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.


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

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake departed the country yesterday evening (Jan 13) for a four-day official visit to China.


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Press release

The Ministry of Defence through electronic and print media announced that all firearms and ammunition issued to civilians for personal protection must be returned to the government by 21 November 2024 for a quantitative review.


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

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake left the island this afternoon on an official visit to India, marking his first official foreign visit since assuming office.


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Annual ‘Poppy Day’ ceremony to be held on 24 November
under the patronage of the President

The annual ‘Poppy Day’ ceremony, organized by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA) and its Armed Forces Commemorative Poppy Committee, is to be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake with the participation of distinguished guests at the Cenotaph in Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo, on November 24.


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PRESS RELEASE

The Ministry of Defence has observed that the Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lanka Army have issued a significant number of pistols, revolvers and other firearms for the protection of Members of Parliament, Provincial Council members, political party leaders and political organizations as well as officers who held executive appointments in the government.


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PRESS RELEASE

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued warnings to the public on several occasions regarding an increase in various forms of recruitment to cyber scam centers in Myanmar.


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PRESS RELEASE

In pursuant to Ministry of Defence press release on 06.10.2024,  all licensees were informed to return their firearms and ammunition, issued for personal protection, to the Commercial Explosive Firearms and Ammunition Procurement Unit (CEFAP) at the Sri Lanka Navy camp in Welisara before 07.11.2024.


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PRESS RELEASE

A bus carrying a group of persons from the Kotalawala Defence University (KDU) met with an accident at around 0745 on Friday morning (November 01) at the Ambagas junction on the Dunhinda -Badulla road. The group of 42 people included 36 students of the 39th KDU Intake, 3 lecturers, an Instructor in charge of the group, a senior military personnel in charge of the bus and the bus driver.


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Road leading to Rotunda Roundabout along
Temple Trees opened for public use

A part of R.A. de Mel Mawatha in Kollupitiya Police area from St. Michael’s Roundabout to the Rotunda Roundabout along Temple Trees was closed for security reasons in 2005.


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PRESS RELEASE

A decision has been taken to take over all firearms issued for personal protection to civilians by the Ministry of Defence.  This decision was in accordance to the powers vested to the Defence Secretary under Sections 6(1) and 6(2) of the Firearms Ordinance Act No. 33 of 1916, to take over firearms on temporary basis to the government. Further, this decision is taken subjected to reissue them after a review process.


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Clarification on paying of Motivation Incentive Allowance to tri forces personnel

Clarification on  paying of Motivation Incentive Allowance to tri forces personnel

It has been noted that some media and social media platforms have reported that the motivation incentive allowance paid to  tri forces personnel attached to VIP security details have been stopped.


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NAHTTF issues an urgent warning on cyber scam centers and human trafficking

The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) alerts the public to a dangerous rise in forced criminality linked to cyber scam centers in Myanmar. Human traffickers are actively targeting young IT professionals with deceptive job offers abroad.


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Government addresses key issues of the Civil Security Personnel

The Civil Security Department (CSD), operating under the Ministry of Defence, has significantly contributed to ending the three-decade-long war and continues to play a vital role in ongoing development projects and society's overall well-being.


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SL Defence Secretary urges Sri Lankans to refrain from seeking employment in Myanmar through illegal means

SL Defence Secretary urges Sri Lankans to refrain from seeking employment in Myanmar through illegal means

The Sri Lankan Government strongly advises its citizens to refrain from seeking employment in Myanmar through illegal foreign employment agents or persons and institutions involved in human trafficking. Alarming reports have revealed that a group of Sri Lankans who have illegally left for work in Myanmar are being forcibly detained for illegal activities in a camp in the cyber crime area operated by terrorist groups in Myanmar.


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Take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the entire country and the smooth conduct of the upcoming presidential election - State Minister Tennakoon

Since the Election Commissioner announced the upcoming presidential election, the State Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, instructed the security chiefs of the country to take measures to ensure the security for the presidential candidates, citizens and the entire country during that period.


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Round Table Discussion on “Sri Lanka's economic security
in 2024 - evaluating the outlook and risks”

The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) organized a closed-door Round Table Discussion (RTD) on “Sri Lanka’s Economic Security in 2024 - Evaluating the Outlook and Risks” on Thursday, the 06th June 2024, from 1600 to 1800 at the Nandimithra Auditorium, Ministry of Defence. Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne graced the event as the Chief Guest.


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Press Release

As approved by the Board of Management of KDU, the interview Panel for selecting civilian candidates for MBBS degree program at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University is comprised of internal Staff Members and representatives from University Grant Commission and Sri Lanka Medical Council as observers. However, representatives of the Sri Lanka Medical Council didn’t take part in the interview process. 


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Special unit established to gather information on Sri Lankan citizens
being deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war

The Ministry of Defence has announced the establishment of a special unit to gather information on the human trafficking of retired Sri Lankan military personnel to the Russia-Ukraine war through illegal channels.


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General Amnesty for Tri-Forces Absentees

The Ministry of Defence announces that the General Amnesty period announced from 20.04.2024 to 20.05.2024 for members of the Tri-Forces who have been marked as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) is not applicable for Commissioned Officers who are marked as AWOL.