The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to speak under the Defence Budget Head during this debate alongside the Public Security Head. Many points were raised on national and public security. There is no issue today regarding national or public security. What we had were clashes among organized criminal gangs. Over the past year, national security in Sri Lanka has been fully assured. Consequently, Sri Lanka has been named among the world’s top 10 tourist destinations.

¶ 02 We have strengthened national and public security and rebuilt public trust. The Government restored law and order and economic stability democratically within a year. National security is essential for economic stabilization, and we have re-established law and order. The previous regime’s approach undermined law and order; we changed that political culture. We held three elections, and contrary to fears of unrest, not a finger was raised—we ensured public and national security throughout.

¶ 03 We will not allow any community to be endangered for political gain. There will be no room for threats to national security again. The Tri-Forces, Police, and STF together carry out this mission. We consider social needs and regional differences within a national framework. The National Security Council, under the President, meets fortnightly to strategize.

¶ 04 Under the Defence Budget, 25 institutions—services, centres, boards—operate. Rs. 407 billion is for the Tri-Forces; the total Defence allocation is Rs. 455 billion. Within that, approx. Rs. 18 billion to the Army, Rs. 108 billion to the Navy, and Rs. 168 billion to the Air Force. Of around Rs. 60,000 million (noting OCR errors; intent is high utilization), approx. Rs. 47,000 million has been utilized—about 77% progress so far.

¶ 05 We have freed the Tri-Forces from political interference. Political stability and security are mandatory for economic stability. We faced the Easter attacks and social unrest in 2022; mass-scale State-level corruption was a grave threat. Good governance and state security go hand in hand—meeting people’s aspirations prevents unrest. We have equipped ourselves with people-friendly policies, earning public trust, and allocated adequate resources for defence and security.

¶ 06 Strategically, we are transitioning from a land-centric approach to maritime domain awareness, recognizing the Indian Ocean’s significance for our prosperity. We focus on our Exclusive Economic Zone and Search and Rescue region. Maritime security and safe sea lines are vital. We are enhancing Navy and Air Force surveillance and integrating air, land, and sea dimensions. We are curbing illegal fishing and the use of such activity as cover for maritime drug trafficking, with the Coast Guard and Navy conducting deep-sea operations.

¶ 07 A recent allegation by Hon. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam that the Tri-Forces are the main obstacle to the “Nation as One” anti-drug operation in the North and East, and that retired southern servicemen are involved in drug trafficking, is categorically rejected. From 2020 to 2025, the Tri-Forces, Coast Guard, Police, and STF seized thousands of kilograms of narcotics in northern/eastern and deep-sea operations, and large quantities of contraband. The Tri-Forces are disciplined, law-abiding, and do not engage in illegal acts. Isolated individuals, if any, are not the institution.

¶ 08 Claims that troop density in the North is excessive are also countered by local sentiment: in Karyainuv in the North (within several GN divisions), I personally received a letter signed by 147 residents requesting that a particular Army camp not be removed, stating its presence ensures safety, reduces theft, drug use, and trafficking. I table that letter.

¶ 09 Our Tri-Forces fought a brutal war and transformed overnight to humane conduct—protecting lives and ensuring national security. The Air Force, Navy, and Army ensure security, territorial integrity, and Special Economic Zone protection; provide humanitarian aid during emergencies; and conduct surveillance against narcotics and illegal fishing.

¶ 10 Under “Clean Sri Lanka,” significant funds are allocated for Tri-Forces machinery, engineering, fuel, and maintenance. Many Air Force platforms are old; we must complete major overhauls of four Mi-17/17-1V helicopters, repair Bell 212 engines, and maintain Y-12 aircraft. We are digitizing Air Force mobile radios for transport, disaster management, and communications.

¶ 11 The Army is prioritizing operating efficiency, increasing capital outlays relative to recurrent, long-term capability development, modernization, strict financial discipline, and internal oversight, aiming for economic benefits by 2030. The Volunteer Force is being restored to its core role as a strategic reserve.

¶ 12 The Navy’s 2030 plan is to secure our maritime domain and conduct operations beyond national waters with an effective crew mix of regular and volunteer components, adapting to evolving security environments with technological upgrades.

¶ 13 On Defence reforms: per the President’s directive, a special committee is working on restructuring the Tri-Forces over the next five years, aligning with national security and development.

¶ 14 Land release: This year, we have released a significant extent of land in the North and East, with more to be released.

¶ 15 On war veterans: Over the past 10 months, we focused on their welfare. I am a 35-year veteran; I know their dignity and honour. In the past, veterans were politicized; today we affirm their dignity. On disabled, deceased, widows, and those retiring at 55—their pensions, fixed allowances, and all entitlements—we have prepared a Cabinet Paper after discussions with the Secretary to the Treasury, DG of Pensions, and others. No veteran’s pension or allowance has been stopped. We have paid special attention to ensure all entitlements—fixed allowances to widows and parents—are paid.

¶ 16 We are launching “Ranaviru Vyavasayaka Abhiman” to train and equip veterans and those nearing retirement with employable skills in 28 sectors, with the Ministry of Industries and TVEC. We will continue to ensure their welfare while safeguarding national security with regional sensitives in mind.

¶ 17 Thank you, Hon. Chairman.