2019 in Sri Lanka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

←

Flag of Sri Lanka.svg
 2019
in
Sri Lanka

→

Decades:
  • 1990s
  • 2000s
  • 2010s
  • 2020s
See also:

The following lists notable events that took place during 2019 in Sri Lanka. This year marks the fewest non-working holidays in the country as most of the public holidays fall on weekends.[1]

Incumbents[]

National[]

Provincial[]

Governors

Chief Ministers[]

Events[]

February[]

  • 6 February - Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena stressed in parliament that the death sentence would be implemented within the next two months on those who are convicted for drug offences, ending a 43-year moratorium on capital punishment.[2][3]
  • 23 February - Sri Lanka registered their first ever test series win against South Africa in South Africa and became the first ever Asian side to achieve the feat.[4]

March[]

April[]

  • 1 April - 100th death anniversary of late entrepreneur Jacob De Mel was remembered.[12]
  • 4 April - Janaka Kanchana created a new Guinness World Record for breaking 50 concrete slabs on his chest within 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
  • 17 April - Dimuth Karunaratne was officially appointed by the Sri Lanka Cricket as the captain of the national team and was named in the squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[13][14]
  • 18 April - Raavana 1, Sri Lanka's first research satellite was sent to the International Space Station at around morning 2.16 am the satellite was launched successfully.[15][16][17]
  • 21 April - Easter Sunday bombings happened in three churches and three hotels killing 259 people.
  • 29 April - 2019 Kalmunai shootout

May[]

June[]

  • 3 June - After a protest led by hardline Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and its leader Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara who demanded the resignations of Muslim ministers and governors. All of Sri Lanka's Muslim ministers and their deputies resigned from their portfolios.[19][20]
  • 6 June - The Sri Lankan Airlines was rated as the world's most punctual airline for the second successive year[21]
  • 26 June - President Maithripala Sirisena signed death warrants with the execution dates for four convicts with drug-related offenses, the first time that executions were ordered in 43 years.[22]
  • 29 June - Sri Lanka still continues to be the Lonely Planet's top destination for 2019 despite the April/21 attacks.[23][24]

July[]

  • 1 July - Sri Lanka was promoted as the upper middle income earning country from being a lower middle income earning country according to the updated classification of the World Bank due to the increase in Gross national income.[25]
  • 24 July - Sri Lankan veteran seamer Nuwan Kulasekara retired from all forms of cricket.
  • 26 July - Sri Lankan veteran seamer Lasith Malinga retired from ODI cricket after featuring in his last ODI against Bangladesh.

August[]

  • 17 August - Shavendra Silva was officially appointed as new Army Commander replacing Mahesh Senanayake.[26]
  • 18 August - Shavendra Silva officially commenced his new term as Sri Lanka Army Commander.
  • 28 August - Sri Lankan spinner who is known for inventing carrom ball Ajantha Mendis retired from all forms of cricket.[27]

September[]

  • 13 September - 26 September - At least two persons reportedly dead and 282 houses completely damaged due to floods in Colombo, Galle and Matara.[28][29]
  • 16 September - Sri Lanka's and South Asia's tallest tower Lotus Tower was opened following a grand opening ceremony.[30]
  • 23 September - Maithripala Sirisena claimed allegations against Ranil Wickramasinghe for requesting to appoint Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe as new Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. In the same month, Dilrukshi Dias involved in a controversial discussion with Avant Garde chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi.[31][32]
  • 25 September - 29 September - So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 concluded with Mitch Parkinson of Australia defeating Indonesia's in the final.[33][34]
  • 25 September - 7 October - rail strikes took place for 12 consecutive days.[35][36]
  • 27 September - Sri Lankan cricket team toured Pakistan to play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is, which also marked Sri Lanka's first full-fledged cricket tour to Pakistan since 2009. Sri Lanka historically won their first T20I series win over Pakistan.[37][38]

October[]

  • 5 October - First ever public debate among Presidential candidates took place for the upcoming election.[39]
  • 7 October - Presidential nominations for the upcoming election were held at Rajagiriya.[40]
  • 17 October - Jaffna International Airport was officially opened as the country's third international airport.[41]

November[]

  • 8 November - One Galle Face mall which belongs to Shangri La was opened to the public for the first time.[42]
  • 10 November - Outgoing President Maithripala Sirisena gave pardon to the convict of Royal Park Murder of a Swedish teenage girl.[43][44][45]
  • 16 November - The 8th Sri Lankan presidential election was held with a record 35 candidates and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa recorded a landslide victory.[46][47]
  • 25 November - A Sri Lankan Swiss embassy staff member who works in Colombo claimed that she was abducted by unidentified men and was detained in their custody for an investigation. She was released on the same day after two hours of inquiry. The Swiss government immediately requested the Sri Lankan authorities to conduct inquiry regarding the probe.[48][49]

Sri Lankan officials launched investigations regarding the alleged kidnapping and mentioned that the attack was possibly in relation to a former top police officer Nishantha de Silva who pledged asylum from Switzerland.[50] The issue has become a significant diplomatic standoff between the two countries with Sri Lanka accusing Switzerland of throwing mud.[51] Sri Lanka Foreign minister further stated that the sequence of events and timeline of the alleged incident, as formally presented by the Swiss Mission on behalf of the alleged victim to the CID, did not in any way correspond with the actual movements of the alleged victim on that date, as borne out by witness interviews and technical evidence, including Uber records, CCTV footage, telephone records and the GPS data.[52] Switzerland government further stated that it will take the issue seriously and called the attack on the employee as unacceptable which would affect the diplomatic ties between the nations.[53][54] The case is considered to be a mysterious circumstance.[55]

Development[]

The issue became a prime focus after Nishantha de Silva, a top police officer who was known for inquiring high profile cases since 2015 had reportedly fled to Switzerland with his family in order to seek asylum following the conclusion of the 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election where Gotabaya Rajapaksa emerged victorious.[48][56] Silva is believed to have received death threats and left the country without proper permission.[57]

On 25 November 2019, the local embassy employee was dragged into a car by a gang of unknown men to obtain information related to the Swiss embassy and information about Silva.[58] The kidnapped woman was forced to disclose the mobile phone data of Sri Lankan citizens who applied for asylum in Switzerland. On the same day she returned to the embassy with minor injuries from her abduction.[59] Newly appointed Major General Kamal Gunaratne met with the ambassador for Switzerland in Sri Lanka and explained the results of the investigation.[60] The Government of Sri Lanka rejected the request from Swiss authorities to send one of its staff members to Switzerland for medical treatment.[61]

In December 2019, the Sri Lankan magistrate court ordered the embassy staff worker to remain in Sri Lanka for inquiries and blocked the staff member from leaving the country until 9 December 2019 without making a police statement.[62][63][64][65] However, the Swiss government stated that the health of the woman deteriorated and further stated that the inquiry would be unfair.[66] On 9 December 2019, the magistrate court further extended the travel ban on the staff member until 12 December 2019 and it was reported that the staff issued a statement before the Criminal Investigation Department regarding the alleged abduction of her.[67][68][69]

On 16 December 2019, Sri Lankan officials arrested the staff member for claiming false abduction allegations according to the reports.[70][71][72] The officials officially revealed the name of the perpetrator as Gania Banister Francis and she was subjected to medical tests and psychiatric analysis based upon her claims.[73] CID revealed there is no such evidence to prove Francis' claim that she was kidnapped and molested.[74]

On 19 December, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced that it had sent an experienced diplomat to Sri Lanka to try to resolve the incident.[75][76] On the same day, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the foreign press had been reporting on the alleged abduction before the facts were established, calling himself the victim of a "planned thing to discredit me and the government."[77]

On 30 December, the embassy employee was released on bail but banned from traveling abroad.[78]

Investigations on mobile phones found that she was in contact with the former CID Director Shani Abeysekara, former Lake House Chairman Krishantha Cooray and Darisha Bastian, the former Editor in Chief of the Sunday Observer days before she claimed to have been abducted. Krishantha Cooray traveled to Malaysia in December as investigation happened while Dharisha Bastian travelled to Switzerland before the "abduction".[79]

December[]

  • 7 December - Caroline Jurie of Sri Lanka was crowned as the winner of 2020 Mrs. World contest.[80]

Deaths[]

January[]

February[]

  • 3 February - Berty Gunasekara, 79 (cinematographer) [85]
  • 14 February - Gunaratne Hapuarachchi, 69 (film production manager) [86]
  • 14 February - V. Vamadevan, 83 (cinematographer) [87]

March[]

April[]

  • 18 April - H. M. Jayawardena, 68 (musician) [91]
  • 21 April - Shantha Mayadunne, 68 (chef) [she was killed along with her daughter during the Easter bomb blast at Shangri-La Hotel].[92]
  • 22 April - Leela Asoka, 92 (songstress) [93]
  • 29 April - Upali Meththananda, 74 (choreographer) [94]

May[]

June[]

July[]

  • 13 July - Upali Leelaratne, 61 (writer) [100]
  • 19 July - Sanda Ahubudu, 84 (writer) [101]
  • 21 July - Kusum Pieris, 71 (radio announcer) [102]
  • 28 July - Reuben Weliwatta, 87 (film editor) [103]

August[]

September[]

  • 2 September - Carlo Fonseka, 86 (physician) [107]
  • 14 September - Martin Trust, 85 (entrepreneur) [father of modern Sri Lankan apparel industry].[108]
  • 24 September - Tikiri, a 70 year old Asian elephant
  • 29 September - Michael de Zoysa, 72 (cricketer) [109]

October[]

November[]

  • 1 November - Dr. Tissa Ranasinghe, 94 (sculptor) [112]
  • 4 November - Samaraweera Wijayasinghe, 78 (author) [113]
  • 12 November - Sirima Anasta Marceline, 76 (songstress) [114]
  • 19 November - D. M. Jayaratne, 88, (former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (2010-2015)[115]

December[]

Holidays[]

In Sri Lanka Bank Holidays, Public Holidays & Full Moon Poya Days for Year – 2019[118]

  • 15 January – Tuesday Tamil Thai Pongal Day *†‡
  • 20 January – Sunday Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 4 February – Monday National Day *†‡
  • 19 February - Tuesday Navam Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 4 March - Monday Maha Sivarathri Day *†
  • 20 March - Wednesday Medin Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 13 April - Saturday Day Prior to Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day *†‡
  • 14 April - Sunday Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day *†‡
  • 15 April - Monday Special Bank Holiday †
  • 19 April - Friday Bak Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 19 April - Friday Good Friday *†
  • 1 May - Wednesday May Day *†‡
  • 18 May - Saturday Vesak Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 19 May - Sunday Day Following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day *†‡
  • 20 May - Monday Special Bank Holiday †
  • 5 June - Wednesday – Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramazan Festival Day) *†
  • 16 June - Sunday – Poson Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 16 July - Tuesday – Esala Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 12 August - Monday – Id-Ul-Alha (Hadji Festival Day) *†
  • 14 August - Wednesday – Nikini Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 13 September Friday – Binara Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 13 October Sunday – Vap Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 27 October Sunday – Deepavali Festival Day *†
  • 10 November Sunday – Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet's Birthday) *†‡
  • 11 November Monday – Special Bank Holiday †
  • 12 November Tuesday – Ill Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 11 December Wednesday – Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day *†
  • 25 December Wednesday – Christmas Day *†‡
  • Public Holidays *
  • Bank Holidays †
  • Mercantile Holidays ‡

References[]

  1. ^ "Fewer holidays this year". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka President says death penalty within the next two months, requests right groups not to appear for drug traffickers". Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Sri Lanka to resume executions within two months: President". 6 February 2019.
  4. ^ "2nd Test: Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 8 wickets to register historic series win". hindustantimes. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Sri Lankan Marini De Livera bags International honour on International Women's Day". www.adaderana.lk. Archived from the original on 18 September 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Sri Lanka's Marini De Livera awarded the Women of Courage award from Melania Trump - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  7. ^ www.ceylonathletics.com (20 March 2019). "SRI LANKA WINS A TWO GOLD AND TWO SILVER AT SPECIAL OLYMPIC WORLD GAMES - Ceylon Athletics News". Ceylon Athletics News & information Portal | Fixtures | Results | Video | Photos. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  8. ^ "Drought, failure to raise power capacity force nationwide power cuts". Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Load Shedding" (PDF). Ceylon Electricity Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Dimuth Karunaratne arrested over drink driving after injuring a motorist". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Dimuth Karunaratne: Sri Lanka Test captain charged with drink-driving". 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Remembering Jacob De Mel, a century later". Daily News. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Dimuth Karunaratne appointed Sri Lanka's ODI captain". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Karunaratne to captain Sri Lanka at World Cup". Cricinfo. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  15. ^ JAYAWARDANA, Ruwini. "Sri Lanka's first satellite 'Raavana 1' launched today". Daily News. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  16. ^ admin (18 April 2019). "Sri Lanka's first satellite 'Raavana 1' launched". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Sri Lanka's "Raavana 1" successfully launched - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Sri Lanka websites including Kuwait embassy face intense cyber attacks". International Business Times, Singapore Edition. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  19. ^ Rizwie, Rukshana; Fuller, Lisa (3 June 2019). "Sri Lanka Muslim ministers quit to protest 'threat to community'". AlJazeera. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  20. ^ Bastians, Dharisha; Mashal, Mujib (3 June 2019). "All 9 of Sri Lanka's Muslim Ministers Resign, as Bombing Backlash Intensifies". The New York Times.
  21. ^ "Sri Lanka : SriLankan Airlines is world\'s Most Punctual Airline for a second time in a year". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  22. ^ Guardian Staff (26 June 2019). "Sri Lanka planning executions after 43-year moratorium". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  23. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka still Lonely Planet\'s top destination for 2019 despite Easter Sunday attacks". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  24. ^ Planet, Lonely (29 June 2019). "Why I won't give up on Sri Lanka and you shouldn't either". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  25. ^ "Sri Lanka's Gross National Income increases - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  26. ^ admin (19 August 2019). "Shavendra Silva appointed Army Commander despite concerns". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  27. ^ "Ajantha Mendis retires from all forms of cricket". ESPNcricinfo. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  28. ^ "Flood warnings for three rivers as heavy rains lash Sri Lanka". EconomyNext. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  29. ^ "12 houses completely destroyed due to the weather - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  30. ^ "Lotus Tower to bloom today - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  31. ^ admin (21 September 2019). "Dilrukshi drops a bomb, says Minister involved". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  32. ^ "Dilrukshi responds to Avante Garde phone call". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  33. ^ "Results for Mitch Parkinson at 2019 So Sri Lanka Pro". World Surf League. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  34. ^ "Mitch Parkinson Raises The Bar at A-Bay". World Surf League. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  35. ^ "Sri Lanka : Train strike enters 12th day; trade unions vow to continue". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  36. ^ "Railway strike called off after 12 days - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  37. ^ "Thirimanne and Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka in Pakistan". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  38. ^ "Sri Lanka ODI and T20I Squads for Pakistan tour". Sri Lanka Cricket. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  39. ^ "Sri Lanka holds first ever Presidential debate among candidates". Colombo Page. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Presidential poll on Nov. 16". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  41. ^ "Sirisena inaugurates Lanka's 3rd international airport". Deccan Herald. Press Trust of India. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  42. ^ "Shangri La's One Gall Face Mall is set to be opened on November 8". Colombopage. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  43. ^ "Royal Park murder convict granted presidential pardon". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  44. ^ Nathaniel, Camelia. "Royal Park murderer pardoned, freed". Daily News. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  45. ^ "Outrage as Sri Lanka president pardons teen's killer". BBC News. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  46. ^ "Sri Lanka to hold presidential election on November 16". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  47. ^ "Gota wins presidency defeating Sajith Premadasa". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  48. ^ a b "Swiss condemn 'attack' on Sri Lanka embassy worker". 27 November 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  49. ^ "Swiss decry attack on local embassy employee in Sri Lanka". Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  50. ^ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I.; Corporation, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting. "Sri Lanka launches probe into kidnapping of Swiss embassy worker". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  51. ^ "Sri Lanka accuses Switzerland of 'throwing mud' | Tamil Guardian". Tamil Guardian. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  52. ^ "Sri Lanka refuses to allow Swiss Embassy employee to leave". colombogazette.com. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  53. ^ "Sri Lankan Court bars Swiss Embassy employee from travelling overseas | DD News". www.ddnews.gov.in.
  54. ^ "Swiss raise alarm over 'attack' on Sri Lanka embassy employee". Aljazeera. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  55. ^ "Alleged Swiss Embassy staffer abduction". Sunday Observer. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  56. ^ "Top detective who investigated high-profile cases flees Sri Lanka". Aljazeera. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  57. ^ "Sri Lanka airports on alert as top cop flees after death threat". Gulf News. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  58. ^ "Swiss Decry 'Attack' on Local Embassy Employee in Sri Lanka". New York Times. Associated Press. 28 November 2019. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  59. ^ "You are being redirected..." www.mfa.gov.lk. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  60. ^ "Incident at the Swiss embassy in Sri Lanka: State Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl summons Sri Lankan ambassador to the FDFA". www.admin.ch. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  61. ^ "Sri Lanka Rejects Swiss Request to Fly Staffer for Treatment". The New York Times. Associated Press. 4 December 2019. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  62. ^ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I.; Corporation, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting. "Sri Lankan court blocks Swiss embassy worker from leaving". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  63. ^ "Sri Lanka Wants to Query Swiss Embassy Worker Over Threat". The New York Times. Associated Press. 2 December 2019. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  64. ^ "Temporary travel ban imposed on Swiss Embassy staffer". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  65. ^ "Swiss summon Sri Lankan envoy over worker's abduction". EconomyNext. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  66. ^ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I.; Corporation, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting. "Kidnapped Swiss embassy worker in Sri Lanka still unfit for questioning". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  67. ^ "Swiss embassy staffer who was allegedly detained appears before CID - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  68. ^ "Court extends Swiss embassy staffer travel ban - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  69. ^ "Swiss Staffer Detention: Embassy issues an official statement - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  70. ^ "Sri Lanka embassy worker held over kidnap claim". 16 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  71. ^ "Sri Lanka Arrests Swiss Embassy Worker Who Claimed Abduction". The New York Times. Associated Press. 16 December 2019. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  72. ^ "Swiss Embassy staffer arrested - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  73. ^ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I.; Corporation, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting. "Swiss embassy worker arrested in Sri Lanka". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  74. ^ "Abduction of Swiss embassy employee had not happened". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  75. ^ "Swiss diplomat to intervene in Sri Lanka embassy abduction row". swissinfo.ch. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  76. ^ "Swiss special envoy to explore possibilities for clarifying embassy employee security incident". ft.lk. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  77. ^ "Sri Lankan leader says he became victim in abduction claim". The Washington Post. AP. 19 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  78. ^ "Swiss Embassy staffer ordered to report to CID once a month". Ada Derana. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  79. ^ "Shani Abeysekara and others in contact with Swiss local staffer".
  80. ^ "Caroline Jurie crowned Mrs. World 2020". 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  81. ^ "Mark Samson passes away". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  82. ^ "Former Test Cricketer Mithra Wettimuny passes away". The Papare. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  83. ^ "Brother, where did you hide?". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  84. ^ "The silent musical man". mirrorarts. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  85. ^ "Berty in Hanthane Kathawa passes away". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  86. ^ "Gunaratne Hapuarachchi dies". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  87. ^ "Vamadevan, who saw life through a black and white image". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  88. ^ "Suwanda's mother Devi Sakunthala bids farewell". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  89. ^ "Sarath Namalgama who passed away suddenly". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  90. ^ "Veteran journalist Daya Abeysekera passes away". sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  91. ^ "Composer H.M Jayawardena passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  92. ^ "Shantha Mayadunne, TV chef, killed in Sri Lanka attacks just minutes after Easter breakfast selfie". ABC News Australia. 22 April 2019 [21 April 2019].
  93. ^ "Leela Asoka dies". sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  94. ^ "Upali goes on his final journey". sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  95. ^ "Asoka Hewawitharana, the son of the founder of the Kalyani studio, has passed away". sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  96. ^ "Journalist Ranjith Weerasinghe passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  97. ^ "Veteran actor Gamini Hettiarachchi passes away". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  98. ^ "'Kopi Kade Somi Nona' passes away". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  99. ^ "Indrani bids adieu". Daily News. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  100. ^ "Farewell to a pillar who played an invaluable role in the incorporation". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  101. ^ "Mrs. Ahubudu bids farewell to". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  102. ^ "Kusum Peiris: The 'light star' of the radio goes out". BBC Sinhala. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  103. ^ "Reuben dies". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  104. ^ "Death of former Minister Salinda Dissanayake". Daily News. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  105. ^ "Filmmaker Daya Wimalaweera passes away". Mirror Arts. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  106. ^ "Sriya Ratnakara dies". sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  107. ^ "PROFESSOR CARLO FONSEKA AND VETERAN DANCE LECTURER PIYASARA SHILPADHIPATHI HAVE PASSED AWAY". www.hirunews.lk. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  108. ^ "Father of Sri Lanka Apparel Industry, Martin Trust dies in the US". Times Online - Daily Online Edition of The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  109. ^ "Michael De Zoysa no more | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  110. ^ "Netballer Melony Lost Her Bout with Leukaemia". www.srilankaolympic.org. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  111. ^ "ෂෙල්ටන් වීරරත්න මියයයි". sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  112. ^ "Founder of Sarasaviya Awards dies". sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  113. ^ "Samaraweera Wijayasinghe, the author of the novel 'Swayanjatha' passes away". mirrorarts. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  114. ^ "Anasta Marceline dies". sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  115. ^ "Former Prime Minister DM Jayaratne passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  116. ^ Professor Vini Vitharana passed away at the age of 91
  117. ^ UPFA MP Ranjith Soysa passed away
  118. ^ "The Holidays in 2019" (PDF). Department of Government Printing. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
Retrieved from ""