Category: Defense
Travel ban on Shavendra unnecessarily complicates US-SL relationship: FM
Feb 17, 2020 (LBO) – Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has formally conveyed to the US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz, Sri Lanka’s strong objection on the imposition of travel restrictions on Lt. Gen.Shavendra Silva as well as his immediate family. Earlier on Friday, the Foreign Ministry had issued the Government of Sri Lanka’s immediate reaction following […]
“Timelines evolved externally would hinder process of reconciliation”: SL tells UN Security Council
Feb 17, 2020 (LBO) – “Timelines evolved externally in achieving stated objectives would only seek to hinder the process of reconciliation since they would be bereft of ground realities” emphasized Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Kshenuka Senewiratne. She was speaking at a one day debate at the UN Security Council titled […]
Sri Lanka takes strong objection to US travel ban on Lt. Gen. Silva & family
Feb 15, 2020 (LBO) – The Government of Sri Lanka takes strong objection to the imposition of travel restrictions on Lt. Gen. Silva and his immediate family members by the Government of the United States, based on independently unverified information. The Government reiterates that Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva was appointed as the Commander of the […]
US State Secretary designates Shavendra Silva for alleged HR violations
Feb 14, 2020 (LBO) – The US State Department has designated Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Acting Chief of Defense Staff for alleged violations of human rights during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s Civil War in 2009. Issuing a press statement, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo […]
Pakistan Air Chief to visit Sri Lanka
Feb 05, 2020 (LBO) – Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff, Mujahid Anwar Khan is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on the invitation of SL Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias. During his stay in Sri Lanka, Air Chief will meet Commanders of the Air Force, Navy and State Minister for Defence.He will also call […]
Russian Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces arrives in Sri Lanka
Feb 03, 2020 (LBO) – Russian Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces, General of the Army, Oleg Salyukov of Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation arrived in Sri Lanka today on a five-day goodwill tour at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the […]
Pakistan Naval Chief to visit Sri Lanka
Jan 24, 2020 (LBO) – Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi NI (M) is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on the invitation of SL Navy commander, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva from January 25-29, 2020. During his stay in Sri Lanka, Naval Chief will meet Commanders of the Navy, Army, Air force […]
Sri Lanka democracy index slightly improved in 2019
Jan 22, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s democracy as measured by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index has been slightly improved to 6.27 (overall score on a 0-10 scale) in 2019 against 6.19 reported in the previous year. According to their latest report, Sri Lanka’s global rank is 69 with a regional rank of 13 […]
US Ambassador Wells conveys desire to build stronger relationship with Sri Lanka
Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the development partnership the United States has extended to Sri Lanka as well as respect and appreciation for the democratic processes in the country. He articulated these sentiments during discussions in Colombo with US Principal Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Alice Wells at the Ministry […]
Sri Lanka to draft new law regulating national intelligence services
Jan 15, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will draft a new law to regulate and empower all intelligence services in the country with the aim of preventing the incidents that pose threats to national security. Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved a proposal tabled by State Minister of Defence Chamal Rajapaksa calling for the drafting of […]
Russian Foreign Minister meets with Sri Lanka President
Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (14). The Minister who started his diplomatic career at the Soviet Embassy in Sri Lanka was delighted with Sri Lanka’s transformation since his time in the Island. He was also very happy with the fruitful discussion he had with […]
”s internal matters: Chinese FM
Jan 14, 2020 (LBO) – China stands for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and will not allow any outside influences to interfere with matters that are essentially internal concerns of Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister of China said. Visiting Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi who called on the President at the Presidential Secretariat […]