Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara co‑chaired a Public Day Programme at the Trincomalee District Secretariat office on Tuesday, alongside Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and District Development Committee Chairman Arun Hemachandra.

The programme provided a platform for members of the veteran community and the general public to present their concerns, grievances, and development‑related issues directly to the relevant authorities.

During the event, the Deputy Minister reviewed a wide range of matters raised by veterans and residents, instructing officials to take necessary actions in an efficient and timely manner. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara says that, in view of the war situation that has arisen in the Middle East, the coming few weeks could be a decisive period for this country.

Speaking in Parliament today (06 Mar), the Deputy Minister said that, accordingly, there is a possibility of certain delays occurring in the provision of essential services in the future.

He stated that due to the prevailing war situation, restrictions have been imposed on shipping as well as air travel, and that this is the reason for such delays.

As such, the Deputy Minister told Parliament that the government has taken steps to further extend the state of emergency imposed in the country in order to maintain essential services without interruption.

“Because of the existing war situation, restrictions have been imposed on shipping, on air travel activities, and several other restrictions have been enforced. Therefore, the essential services we expected and requested may sometimes face delays in the future. The coming few weeks are decisive. Therefore, we must pay special attention to these essential services. Accordingly, we have taken steps to continue our state of emergency further.” (Newswire)

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The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) destroyer AKEBONO (DD 108) arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, making an official visit. 

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), along with the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), visited the Japanese naval ship at the Colombo harbour.

The dignitaries visiting the ship were warmly received by the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Akio ISOMATA and the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander ARAI Katsutomo. 

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha, attended as the Chief Guest of the ceremony held last evening.

Gracing the reception onboard the ship as the Guest of Honour, Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Japan for its historic and continued support in enhancing Sri Lanka’s maritime and Coast Guard capabilities, as well as its assistance in combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

Highlighting recent milestones, the Deputy Minister noted Japan’s grant of advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) worth 500 million yen under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, aimed at strengthening maritime surveillance and disaster response. He also commended Japan’s partnership through JICA and UNODC in developing Sri Lanka’s meteorology, maritime law enforcement, and anti-narcotics initiatives.

The Minister further recalled the recent high-level engagements between the two nations, including the official visit of the Japanese Minister of Defence to Sri Lanka in May, and the State Visit of the Sri Lankan President to Japan. These visits culminated in the signing of key agreements to deepen defence cooperation and support Sri Lanka’s economic development.

The Deputy Minister further emphasized that the strong maritime partnership between the two nations is essential for ensuring regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Tri forces commanders, defence attaches of the Japanese Embassy, members of the diplomatic corps and several distinguished invitees were also present at the occasion. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) says over 700 acres of land in the North and East have been returned to the public so far this year. 

Deputy Minister Jayasekara said that from 01st January 2025 to date, a total of 672.24 acres of land have been returned to the public in the North.

He further said that these lands include 86.24 acres of private land and 586 acres of land that were used by the military.

Deputy Minister Jayasekara went on to note that 34.58 acres of government lands have also been released in the East Province alone.

He added that issues with the Eechankulam land in the Vavuniya District are being looked into and will be resolved soon. 

Deputy Minister Jayasekara revealed that the mentioned lands have been released after the submission of relevant information to the National Security Council (NSC) and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security.

The Deputy Minister of Defence gave the breakdown while addressing the Parliament of Sri Lanka today. (Newswire)

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Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne adjourned Parliament for 10 minutes today, following a tense situation.

Parliament was adjourned after the opposition staged a protest in the chamber against the Speaker’s decision on the No-Confidence Motion submitted against the Deputy Minister of Defence, Aruna Jayasekara.

The protesting opposition MPs demanded that the Attorney General’s advice and other reports pertaining to the matter be tabled in Parliament.

A tense situation arose when Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake attempted to make a statement on the matter, with several opposition MPs disrupting his speech.

The Speaker then adjourned the Parliament and left his seat, even after which opposition MPs were seen staging a protest in the centre of the Chamber. 

The opposition comes after the Speaker yesterday announced that there is no provision in the Constitution for a No-Confidence Motion against a Deputy Minister, and as such, the motion is not in order and cannot be accepted in its present form. 

The No-Confidence Motion against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara was submitted to the Speaker by a group of opposition MPs in August this year.

The No-Confidence Motion was submitted, citing serious concerns over his alleged involvement and conflict of interest in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. (Newswire)

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Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Jagath Wickramaratne, has informed that the opposition’s motion of No-Confidence against the Deputy Minister of Defence, Aruna Jayasekara, is not in order and cannot be accepted in its present form. 

Addressing the Parliament today, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne said under Articles 42, 43 and 44 of the Constitution, collective and individual ministerial responsibility lies with the Cabinet of Ministers. 

He pointed out that a Deputy Minister, though a Member of Parliament, is not a member of the Cabinet and does not bear direct constitutional responsibility to this House in the present context. 

The Speaker further said that there is no provision in the Constitution for a No-Confidence Motion against a Deputy Minister.

“If such a motion is to be accepted today, it would establish an undesirable precedent contrary to constitutional and parliamentary precedents. Having taken into consideration all these facts, I wish to inform this House that the motion of no-confidence against the Deputy Minister of Defence is not in order and cannot be accepted in its present form,” he concluded. 

A group of Opposition MPs submitted the No-Confidence Motion against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara to the Speaker in August this year. 

The Opposition submitted the No-Confidence Motion against the Deputy Minister of Defence, citing serious concerns over his alleged involvement and conflict of interest in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The motion raises alarm over Jayasekara’s role as the Commander of the Security Force (East) during key incidents linked to the Easter attacks, such as the Vavunathivu police killings and the Sainthamaruthu explosion. 

The full statement of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne;

I wish to make this announcement in furtherance of the announcement made by me on 19.08.2025 regarding the Motion titled the ‘No-Confidence Motion’, submitted by a group of 32 Members of Parliament in the Opposition including the Hon. Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, on 12.08.2025 against Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera, M.P., Deputy Minister of Defence.

I have carefully considered this motion in light of the provisions of the Constitution, the Standing Orders of the Parliament and established parliamentary practices and precedents. 

I also studied the traditions and procedures followed in other Commonwealth and democratic legislations such as UK House of Commons, India’s Lok Sabha and Australia’s House of Representatives in this regard.

Under Articles 42, 43 and 44 of the Constitution of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, collective and individual ministerial responsibility lies with the Cabinet of Ministers. A Deputy Minister, though a Member of Parliament, is not a member of the Cabinet and does not bear direct constitutional responsibility to this House in the present context. 

The Constitution clearly recognizes that no-confidence motions may be brought against the Government as a whole, while the precedent recognizes no-confidence motions against the Prime Minister, or an individual Cabinet Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. But, there is no provision for such a motion against a Deputy Minister.

Therefore, if such a motion is to be accepted today, it would establish an undesirable precedent contrary to constitutional and parliamentary precedents. 

Accordingly, having taken into consideration of all these facts, I wish to inform this House that the motion of no-confidence against the Deputy Minister of Defence is not in order and cannot be accepted in its present form. (Newswire)

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Speaker of the Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne, says the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) submitted against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara will be studied and a decision will be announced soon. 

Addressing the Parliament today, the Speaker said that the NCM has been submitted, signed by 31 opposition lawmakers, including opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

He further said that the NCM will be studied, and the actions to be taken based on it will be communicated in due course. 

A group of Opposition MPs submitted the No-Confidence Motion against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara to the Speaker last week. 

The Opposition has submitted the No-Confidence Motion against Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, citing serious concerns over his alleged involvement and conflict of interest in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The motion raises alarm over Jayasekara’s role as the Commander of the Security Force (East) during key incidents linked to the Easter attacks, including the Vavunathivu police killings and the Sainthamaruthu explosion. 

It further states that a potential conflict of interest exists as Jayasekara, now holding a powerful position in the Ministry of Defence, may influence subordinates or witnesses involved in the ongoing probes, risking impartiality.

The motion urges Parliament to remove Jayasekara from his ministerial post, arguing that public and institutional confidence in the investigation process cannot be restored while he remains in office. (Newswire)

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Sarvajana Balaya leader, MP Dilith Jayaweera, says he and his party will oppose the no-confidence motion the opposition plans to bring against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara.

Explaining his stance, MP Jayaweera claimed the motion actually targeted a former Eastern Commander of the Sri Lanka Army rather than the current deputy minister. 

He added that he and his party view the motion as part of a conspiracy to pin blame on the country’s security forces.

His comments come after Opposition parties submitted the no-confidence motion against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara to the Speaker yesterday.

The Opposition decided to submit the No-Confidence Motion, citing serious concerns over Jayasekara’s alleged involvement and conflict of interest in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The motion raises alarm over Jayasekara’s role as the Commander of the Security Force (East) during key incidents linked to the Easter attacks, including the Vavunathivu police killings and the Sainthamaruthu explosion, both considered pivotal moments in the lead-up to the bombings. 

It further states that a potential conflict of interest exists as Jayasekara, now holding a powerful position in the Ministry of Defence, may influence subordinates or witnesses involved in the ongoing probes, risking impartiality. (Newswire)

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A no-confidence motion (NCM) against Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara has been submitted to the Speaker of Parliament by opposition parties.

Although the motion was scheduled to be handed over yesterday, it was postponed to today as the Speaker was in Polonnaruwa.

The Opposition decided to submit to Parliament the No-Confidence Motion against Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, citing serious concerns over his alleged involvement and conflict of interest in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The motion raises alarm over Jayasekara’s role as the Commander of the Security Force (East) during key incidents linked to the Easter attacks, including the Vavunathivu police killings and the Sainthamaruthu explosion, both considered pivotal moments in the lead-up to the bombings. 

It further states that a potential conflict of interest exists as Jayasekara, now holding a powerful position in the Ministry of Defence, may influence subordinates or witnesses involved in the ongoing probes, risking impartiality.

The motion urges Parliament to remove Jayasekara from his ministerial post, arguing that public and institutional confidence in the investigation process cannot be restored while he remains in office. 

Aruna Jayasekara, a retired Major General, was appointed to Parliament via the National List in November 2024 and later named Deputy Minister of Defence. (Newswire)

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The Opposition has decided to submit to Parliament a No-Confidence Motion against Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, citing serious concerns over his alleged involvement and conflict of interest in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The motion, addressed to the Speaker, alleges that Jayasekara violated the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament, including sections related to acting with integrity and earning public trust. The signatories assert that he has failed to uphold public responsibility, particularly in his current role overseeing the Ministry of Defence.

The motion raises alarm over Jayasekara’s role as the Commander of the Security Force (East) during key incidents linked to the Easter attacks, including the Vavunathivu police killings and the Sainthamaruthu explosion, both considered pivotal moments in the lead-up to the bombings. 

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is reportedly investigating these incidents, including questioning military officers who served under his command at the time.

It further states that a potential conflict of interest exists as Jayasekara, now holding a powerful position in the Ministry of Defence, may influence subordinates or witnesses involved in the ongoing probes, risking impartiality.

The motion references statements by Catholic Church leaders, including Reverend Father Cyril Gamini, questioning the credibility of the investigations. It also highlights remarks made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake acknowledging challenges in probing the attack from within the government itself.

Jayasekara, a retired Major General, was appointed to Parliament via the National List in November 2024 and later named Deputy Minister of Defence. During a July 2025 parliamentary session, he admitted that a small group of intelligence and state officials had been misused for political ends, a comment now cited as evidence of his deeper knowledge of internal state conspiracies.

The motion concludes by urging Parliament to remove Jayasekara from his ministerial post, arguing that public and institutional confidence in the investigation process cannot be restored while he remains in office. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says simply reinforcing institutional frameworks is insufficient for effective disaster management and stresses the need to establish mechanisms to deliver practical solutions at the grassroots level.  

President Dissanayake highlighted the importance of empowering local government institutions to prevent disasters in vulnerable areas and develop innovative solutions. 

The President noted that the country’s disaster management laws were formulated after considerable study and that it is the responsibility of officials to implement them effectively. 

He assured his unwavering support for any official who upholds their duties with integrity and called on Government officials to propose enhancements to the legal framework if needed.   

Pointing out that disaster management imposes a significant financial burden on the government, President Dissanayake, however, said that by enforcing laws effectively, these costs can be reduced significantly.  

The President made the remarks while attending the event to mark the assumption of duties by the Deputy Defence Minister, Aruna Jayasekara today (Nov 25).

The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, among others. (Newswire)

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