President instructs establishment of a single national centre by integrating all research and development centres of the defence sector

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the need for a unified national center to consolidate all existing research and development facilities within the defence sector. This integration, he proposed, would enable more efficient and effective utilization of resources. The President emphasized this during a pre-budget meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday, alongside a series of discussions on modernizing the defence sector.

Strengthening national security through the adoption of advanced technologies was a key focus. The meeting delved into strategies for enhancing the sector's technological capabilities, including allocating more funds for overseas training programs. These initiatives aim to equip defence personnel with the latest knowledge and skills.

The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital's operations were also discussed, along with plans to inaugurate Neville Fernando Hospital. Allocation of funds for these medical facilities and their future expansion were key topics. Additionally, the government's commitment to leveraging the construction sector's labor force was highlighted.

Representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Finance, Planning and Economic Development, along with commanders of the three armed forces and heads of various institutions, participated in the discussions. All these elements were discussed in detail, shaping the future direction of the defence sector.