Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 29 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) visited the Doppler Weather Radar Network project site in Puttalam today (29 Jul) to review the progress of the Japanese grant-funded project, which is expected to significantly strengthen Sri Lanka's weather forecasting and early warning capabilities. Upon arrival at the project site, the Defence Secretary was warmly received...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 28 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: A special discussion on strengthening the regulatory framework governing private security firms and amending the relevant legislation was held on 28 July at the Ministry of Defence. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) also attended the meeting. The discuss...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 28 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: The Navy rolled out a community support programme from 10 to 24 July 2026 to assist devotees taking part in the annual foot pilgrimage to the historic Kataragama Devalaya. The initiative, organised under the supervision of the Southern and Southeastern Naval Commands, aimed to ensure the safety and welfare of pilgrims travelling from the Northern and Eastern Provinces. As part of the in...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 28 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: The Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, paid farewell calls on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at their respective offices recently, ahead of the completion of his tenure as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. During the separate meetings ...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 27 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: The Ministry of Defence marked the commencement of National Integrity Week by administering the National Integrity Pledge, joining the island-wide programme launched under the theme, "A Culture of Integrity - A Clean Sri Lanka," today (27 Jul). The event, held at the Ministry of Defence premises, was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and t...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 27 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: In line with the National Integrity Initiative, the Internal Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Defence conducted an awareness programme for Ministry staff today (27 Jul) at the Ministry of Defence premises. The programme was conducted by Mrs. H.H.N.P. Hewarathna, Senior Assistant Secretary (Parliament Affairs and Policy) and Head of the Internal Affairs Unit, with the objective of enhancin...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 26 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, reviewed the sea phase of the Trincomalee Naval Exercise 2026 (TRINEX-26) on board SLNS Vijayabahu off the eastern coast today, 24 July. Vice Admiral Fernando observed a range of maritime exercises, joint training activities and operational readiness drills, while lauding the professionalism and performance of the naval personnel t...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 25 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: A progress review meeting for the formulation of a comprehensive National Mechanism for Drowning Prevention and Lifesaving was convened yesterday (24 Jul) at the Parliament Complex as a follow up to the previous high level discussion on the initiative. The meeting focused on strengthening inter agency collaboration to establish a coordinated national framework aimed at reducing water rela...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 24 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) attended the reception hosted by the High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in Colombo on 23 July to commemorate the 61st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Maldives. The event was held at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, Colombo. The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, graced the even...
Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 24 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release: The outgoing Defence Attache of the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Colonel Muhammad Farooq, paid a farewell call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence, today (24 July). Colonel Farooq was accompanied by the newly appointed Defence Attache of the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Colonel Muhammad Talha Badar, d...