2017 in Sri Lanka

2017
in
Sri Lanka

Decades:
See also:

The following lists notable events that occurred and which took place during 2017 in Sri Lanka.

Incumbents

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Governors

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Chief Ministers

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Holidays

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Below is a list of bank holidays, public holidays and full moon Poya Days in Sri Lanka for the year 2017.[1]

  • 12 January – Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
  • 14 January – Tamil Thai Pongal Day
  • 4 February – National Day
  • 10 February – Navam Full Moon Poya Day
  • 24 February – Mahasivarathri Day
  • 12 March – Madin Full Moon Poya Day
  • 10 April – Bak Full Moon Poya Day
  • 13 April – Day prior to Sinhala & Tamil
  • 14 April – Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day
  • 14 April – Good Friday
  • 1 May
    • Labour Day
    • May Day
  • 10 May – Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
  • 11 May – Day Following Vesak Full Moon
  • 8 June – Poson Full Moon Poya Day
  • 26 June – Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramazan Festival Day)
  • 8 July – Esala Full Moon Poya Day
  • 7 August – Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
  • 1 September – Id-Ul-Alha (Hadji Festival Day)
  • 5 September – Binara Full Moon Poya Day
  • 5 October – Vap Full Moon Poya Day
  • 18 October – Deepavali Festival Day
  • 3 November – Ill Full Moon Poya Day
  • 1 December – Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet's Birthday)
  • 3 December – Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
  • 25 December – Christmas Day

Events by month

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January

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  • 2 January
    • Former Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratna has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department for alleged misappropriation of funds of the Negombo lagoon development project.[2]
    • Jaliya Wickramasuriya, who was the Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, arrested on charges of misusing state funds.[3]
  • 5 January − Mudiyanselage Suranga Kumara alias ‘Rattaran’, an underworld gang, has been shot and killed by two unknown gunmen. [4]
  • 7 January − 21 persons including 3 police officers were injured and hospitalized as a result of the clashes which broke out during the protest in Hambantota.[5] Meanwhile, 52 individuals were arrested on charges of violating court orders and damaging public property.[6] On next day, 28 more individuals were arrested.[7][8]
  • 10 January
    • Ravi Karunanayake was named as the Finance Minister of the Year for Asia-Pacific by The Banker, a magazine of the British daily Financial Times.[9]
    • Parliamentaria Wimal Weerawansa was arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division who was accused of misusing several vehicles belonging to the presidential secretariat.[10]
  • 11 January − President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated the filling of water to the Moragahakanda reservoir, the biggest multi-functional irrigation project in Sri Lanka.[11]
  • 13 January − Former Sri Lankan district judge Geethani Wijesinghe Widanelage swore as new Resident Magistrate of Fiji.[12]
  • 18 January − Disaster management officials stated that about 600,000 people have been hit by the drought in nearly 13 of the 25 districts, making it the worst drought since 2006.[13]
  • 31 January − Astrologer Vijitha Rohana Wijemuni was arrested by The Criminal Investigations Department for allegedly misleading the public by making false predictions.[14]

February

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  • 5 February − Chamara Sandaruwan alias ‘Kudu Roshan’ was hacked to death by an unidentified group of people in Wanathamulla.[15]
  • 10 February − Sri Lanka opened its first hybrid power plant using wind, solar and diesel located on a small island off the Jaffna, that generate 60 MW of electricity.[16]
  • 14 February − For significant contributions in reforms in economy, education and human rights in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe conferred an honorary doctorate from Deakin University in Australia.[17]
  • 21 February
    • International cricketer Niroshan Dickwella was suspended for two limited-over matches after his accumulated demerit points reached five within a 24-month period.[18]
    • Ministry of Crab and Nihonbashi ranked 29th & 49th at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ awards ceremony.[19]

March

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Deaths

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January

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February

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  • 1 February – Baptist Fernando, 83 (actor)[32]
  • 10 February
    • Dr. Ariyadasa Pieris, 91 (journalist)[33]
    • Wimal J. Sagara, 84 (singer)[34]
  • 13 February – S. A. Francis, (singer)[35]
  • 14 February – Boniface Fernando, 83 (actor)[36]

March

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  • 10 March – Gamini S. Fernando[35]
  • 13 March – Renuka Herath, 71 (politician)[37]
  • 16 March – Pushpa Janet, (actress)[38]
  • 26 March – Anton Alwis, 73 (scriptwriter)[39]
  • 27 March – Shantha Kadiragonna[35]

April

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May

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June

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July

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  • 11 July – Nihal Samarasinghe, (musician)[35]
  • 14 July – Dr. Thilokasundari Kariyawasam, 88 (educationist)[53]
  • 17 July – Somapala Rathnayake, 69 (musician)[54]
  • 20 July – Thilak Atapattu, (film producer)[55]
  • 26 July – Daya Kahawala, (author)[56]

August

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  • 1 August – Dayawansa Karunamuni, (journalist)[56]
  • 16 August – Kumari Manel, 76 (actress)[57]
  • 20 August – Binoy Surendra, 76 (journalist)[58]
  • 24 August – Narawila Patrick, (author)[35]

September

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  • 20 September
    • Sumith Bibile, 87 (actor)[59]
    • Berty Galahitiyawa, 80 (announcer)[60]
    • Dasun Nishan, 29 (actor)[61]
  • 23 September – Amaradasa Weerasinghe, (film critique)[62]

October

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  • 20 October
    • D. A. Balasuriya, (actor)[35]
    • Senaka Titus Anthony, (actor)[63]

November

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  • 1 November – Suvineetha Fernando, (actress)[35]
  • 21 November – Dhammika P. Rathnayake, (announcer)[64]
  • 28 November – Ruwan Weerasekara, 51 (violinist)[65]
  • 30 November – Newton Gunasekara, (writer)[66]

References

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  1. ^ "The Holidays in 2017" (PDF). Ministry of Public Administration and Management. 26 December 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  2. ^ "CID arrests Sarath Kumara Gunaratne". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Jaliya Wickramasuriya further remanded". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Underworld figure 'Rattaran' shot dead". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Twenty-one hospitalized after clashes in Hambantota". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  6. ^ "52 arrested over clashes in Hambantota". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Hambantota protest: 11 more arrested". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  8. ^ "17 more remanded over Hambantota clashes". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Ravi named Finance Minister of the Year, Asia-Pacific". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Wimal Weerawansa arrested". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Filling of water in the Moragahakanda Reservoir today". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Fmr. Sri Lankan judge appointed Fiji's new Resident Magistrate". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  13. ^ "600,000 people hit by worst drought in a decade". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Astrologer Vijitha Rohana arrested by CID". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  15. ^ "'Kudu Roshan' hacked to death in Wanathamulla". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Sri Lanka's first hybrid power plant opened". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Prime Minister Wickremesinghe awarded an honorary doctorate". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Niroshan Dickwella suspended by ICC for 2 limited-over matches". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  19. ^ "Two Sri Lankan restaurants among Asia's 50 best". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  20. ^ "Heroes of 1818 rebellion to become patriots today". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Notorious Sri Lankan drug lord 'Thel Bala' dies in India". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Priyasath Dep takes oath as new Chief Justice". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  23. ^ "A.S.P. Liyanage appointed as Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Milestone man Herath spins Sri Lanka to victory in Galle". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Mahesh Senanayake appointed Army Chief of Staff". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  26. ^ "Asoka Herath to get Renuka Herath's seat in CPC". Ada Derana. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  27. ^ Judge CG Weeramantry passes away
  28. ^ "Singer Deepal Silva passes away". Sunday Observer. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  29. ^ a b "Two filmmakers bid farewell today". Dinamina. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  30. ^ "H. S. Perera passes away". mirrorarts. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  31. ^ "Singer Roy Peiris passes away". Ada Derana. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  32. ^ "Veteran actor Baptist Fernando passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  33. ^ "Dr. Ariyadasa Peiris passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Singer Wimal J Sagara passes away". nethgossip. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Artists bid farewell in 2017". Deshaya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  36. ^ "Boniface Fernando bids farewell". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  37. ^ Former Minister Renuka Herath passes away
  38. ^ "A movie star falls". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  39. ^ "Condolenses from Prime Minister for Anton Alwis". Hiru News. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  40. ^ "Vivienne de Silva Boralessa no more". DailyNews.lk. Daily News Sri Lanka. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  41. ^ "US, China express condolences over demise of most venerable Davuldena Sri Gnanissara thero". Sunday Times. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  42. ^ "Veteran film director Wasantha Obeysekara passes away". Ada Derana. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  43. ^ "The last rites of Jagath Wijenayake will be held tomorrow". Ada Derana. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  44. ^ "Veteran filmmaker T. Arjuna passes away". mirrorarts. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  45. ^ "Voice lost, veteran radio broadcaster Satsorupavathy Nathan passes away". Nation.lk. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  46. ^ DIGITAL, ITN. "First female radio announcer Prabha Ranatunge passes away | ITN News". www.itnnews.lk. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  47. ^ "Premaranjith Tilakaratne passes away". adaderana. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  48. ^ "Death of Prof. Emeritus Siri Gunasinghe". Daily News. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  49. ^ "Popular Sri Lankan motor racing legend passes away". Newsfirst.lk. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  50. ^ "Sunil the Man". Dinamina. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  51. ^ Pradeep, Chaturanga (8 June 2017). "Prince Udaya Priyantha passes away". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  52. ^ "DB Kuruppu passes away". sathhanda. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  53. ^ "Dr. Thilokasundari Kariyawasam passes away". sathhanda. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  54. ^ "Veteran musician Somapala Rathnayake passes away". Ada Derana. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  55. ^ "Thilak Atapattu second commemoration". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  56. ^ a b "Dayawansa Karunamuni dies". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  57. ^ "They also said goodbye to us". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  58. ^ "Senior journalist Binoy Surendra passes away". Dinamina. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  59. ^ "Sonoja Bibile's father passes away". srilankamirror. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  60. ^ "Veteran announcer Berty Galahitiyawa bids farewell". Dinamina. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  61. ^ "The innocent on the small screen says goodbye". Silumina. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  62. ^ "Missing from Amaradasa Weerasinghe -Cultures-". Silumina. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  63. ^ "Austin Ayya says goodbye". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  64. ^ "Dear announcer Dhammika ... your voice is still with us". Divaina. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  65. ^ "Veteran violinist Ruwan Weerasekera passes away". News First. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  66. ^ "A humble writer who fell in love with the novel that passed away". Divaina. Retrieved 11 February 2020.