Colombo: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for the advancement of Sri Lanka’s defence forces into one of the most professional in the world. He directed officials to ensure that budgetary allocations are effectively used to provide the necessary training and facilities to meet this objective. This directive was issued during the preliminary budget discussion of the Ministry of Defence for 2026, held at the Presidential Secretariat.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the discussion included a review of the progress of projects funded by the Ministry’s 2025 budget. Current programmes for the Sri Lanka Army, Air Force, Navy, the Civil Security Department, and cadet officers were examined. A key focus was the overseas training opportunities for defence force members, which the President noted should be distinct from other government sector training.

The President also urged that steps be taken to provide equal compensation for families of Civil Security Department members who lost their l
ives in the war, aligning it with the compensation for families of other defence services. Additionally, he highlighted the need to enhance the efficiency of services at the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital, given the substantial costs already borne by the government.

Other topics discussed included construction projects related to the Ministry of Defence and welfare measures for defence force members. Attendees included Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence H. S. Sampath Thuyacontha, senior additional secretaries to the President, the Commanders of the Tri-Forces, and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance.