Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) chaired a high-level strategic discussion titled National Entrepreneurship Development and Business Startup-Defence Contribution” today (Jul 18) at his office premises. The session marked a significant inter-ministerial collaboration, aiming to integrate the strengths of the defence sector with national development priorities.

The Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, joined the dialogue, alongside an esteemed panel of senior stakeholders from both defence and economic development domains. Attendees included the Commanders of the Army and Navy, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Chairman of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd (RALL) and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development.

The Deputy Minister of Defence outlined the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Development Strategy Framework under the theme of A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” emphasizing pathways for defence sector integration. Further, he highlighted the critical need of absorbing retired military personnel into SME initiatives, ensuring their productive participation in national economic development while upholding the integrity and reputation of veterans.

The session focused on harnessing the strategic assets, discipline and human capital of the defence sector to empower entrepreneurship, particularly among veterans and service personnel transitioning to civilian life. Discussions revolved around the development of veteran-led start-ups, enhancing access to skill development programs and creating platforms for innovation and technology transfer.

The discussion centered on leveraging the strategic assets, disciplined human capital and institutional expertise of the defence sector to foster entrepreneurship, particularly among veterans and transitioning service members. Key focus areas included veteran-led start-ups, skill development and capacity-building programs and innovation and technology transfer platforms

Collaborative frameworks to bolster SMEs, defence-backed innovation hubs, and the optimal use of underutilized resources for entrepreneurial growth were also explored.

This meeting reaffirmed the defence sector’s catalytic role in Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. By synergizing institutional capabilities with government-led economic agendas, the sector continues to serve not only as a pillar of national security but also as a strategic enabler of socio-economic progress.