Defender of the Nation
The 81st Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Poppy Flower Ceremony was solemnly commemorated today (16 November) at the Cenotaph War Memorial in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo. This annual event, organized by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association in collaboration with the Armed Services, honoured the memory and sacrifices of Sri Lankan war heroes who laid down their lives in defence of the nation, in conflicts ranging from the First World War to the present day.
Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, was invited by the National Defence College (NDC) to deliver the Commander's Lecture themed “The Sri Lanka Army’s Role in National Security” on 05 November 2025.
The United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave 2025 was held in New Delhi, India, from 14 to 16 October 2025, hosted by the Indian Army. Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army attended the conclave representing Sri Lanka.
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), undertook a two-day inspection tour of key Sri Lanka Army ammunition and ordnance storage facilities on 11 and 12 October 2025.
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), paid an official visit to the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, 10 October 2025. Arriving at the Army Headquarters on the 76th Army Anniversary, the Deputy Minister was warmly received by, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, the Commander of the Army and accorded a ceremonial welcome.
The National Cadet Corps (NCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, staged the All Island Eastern Cadet Band Challenge Trophy - 2025 at the NCC Training Centre, Rantembe, on 25 September 2025. The event was graced by Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, as the Chief Guest.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi PVSM AVSM NM, Chief of the Indian Naval Staff, together with his delegation, comprising Captain Anand Mukundan of the Indian Navy - Defence Advisor, High Commission of India to Sri Lanka, Captain Ashwani K Hans, SO to CNS, Captain Adith Patnaik, NA to CNS, Lieutenant Colonel Mandeep Singh Negi SM - Assistant Defence Attaché, High Commission of India to Sri Lanka and Commander Nitin Babu (Cdr – FC), paid a courtesy call on Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, on 22 September 2025 at the Commander’s Office, Army Headquarters.
The newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, paid a courtesy call on Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, on 12 September 2025 at the Army Headquarters.
The Army School of Logistics (ASL) organised its annual Logistics Symposium 2025 under the theme “Potentiality of Trincomalee as a future logistic hub: potentiality, adaptability, sustainability, optimum utilization and challenges” at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), Ratmalana, on 10 September 2025.
The 27th Annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference (CHODs) – 2025 was held from 25 to 28 August 2025 in Thailand with the participation of senior military leaders representing several countries. Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of the Army, attended the forum as the uniformed Chief of Defence representative from Sri Lanka.