Deputy Minister of Defence Co - Chairs Progress Review Meeting on ‘Warriorpreneurship’ Program

The Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) co-chaired a progress review meeting on the ongoing 'Pride of Warriorpreneurship' Program with the Hon. Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe at the Deputy Minister of Defence's Office in Colombo today (15 Jun).

The meeting focused on reviewing the progress achieved under the program, which is aimed at facilitating the transition of retiring and retired Tri Forces personnel into entrepreneurship and self-employment.

Discussions centered around the pilot project of the "Warriorpreneurship program", which has already been conducted in Galle district. Plans are now underway to expand the initiative to the Kalutara and Matara districts under the next phase.

Key areas of discussion included the commencement of a Train the Trainers (ToT) course on entrepreneurship, designed to build capacity and ensure the long term sustainability of the program. The way forward for the Warriorpreneurship initiative was also deliberated, with an emphasis on scaling impact across multiple regions.

Importantly, the dialogue also included establishing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two relevant ministries, and developing a clear funding mechanism. To ensure effective coordination and implementation, it was agreed to establish a joint coordinating cell, which will oversee the program's operations, monitor progress, and facilitate inter-ministerial collaboration.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister of Defence underscored the importance of harnessing the leadership, discipline, and professional experience of former service personnel by integrating them into the national entrepreneurship ecosystem. He emphasized that empowering veterans through entrepreneurship would not only support their livelihoods but also contribute meaningfully to the country's economic development.

The Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development outlined the support extended by the ministry towards the successful implementation of the program. He elaborated on the facilitative measures available through the ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, the assistance currently being provided to strengthen the initiative, and the legal and institutional frameworks that could further support the expansion of entrepreneurial opportunities for retiring and retired military personnel.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, were also present at the meeting.