Jump to content

2018 in Sri Lanka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2018
in
Sri Lanka

Decades:
See also:

Events in the year 2018 in Sri Lanka.

Incumbents

[edit]

Governors

[edit]

Chief Ministers

[edit]

Events

[edit]

January

[edit]
  • 21 January – A 44 year old motorist was shot dead in Kataragama by the police after defying the orders when riding the motorcycle, which led to turmoil and confusion in the Kataragama area as the police opened tear gas to control and disperse bystanders after the unusual incident at the religious area.[1]
  • 23 January – The official trophy for the 2018 FIFA World Cup was brought to Sri Lanka and was kept in Colombo for 2 days and was displayed to the public as part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, in which the trophy would travel across 52 nations. This was the first time Sri Lanka was selected as one of the nations to officially showcase the trophy in history.[2][3]

February

[edit]
  • 4 February
  • 10 February – 2018 Sri Lankan local elections were conducted to elect 8293 members to the 341 local authorities.[7]
  • 23 February – Komaali Kings, a Sri Lankan Tamil-language film released on this day becomes the first Sri Lankan Tamil-language mass-budgeted film in 40 years. The film also marks the rebirth of Sri Lankan Tamil Cinema as it released in across 50 theatres in the nation.[8]
  • 27 February – 2018 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka: Riots began in the town of Ampara between Sinhalese and Muslim groups. Mosques, restaurants and muslim civilians were targeted during the riots over alleged rumours that unwanted chemicals were being added to food items in Muslim restaurants, within the vicinity of the temple junction in Ampara.[9]

March

[edit]
  • 2 March – 2018 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka: Riots began spreading from Udispattuwa and Teldeniya to Digana and other areas in the Kandy District. Several Muslim businesses, mosques and shops were attacked by Sinhalese mobs following the death of a Buddhist male following an assault by 4 intoxicated Muslim youths on 22 February. Following the violence in Kandy, the Sri Lankan government declared a state of emergency across the nation for 10 days.[10]
  • 6 March – 2018 Nidahas Trophy was a Tri-Nations tournament held from 6 March to 18 March to celebrate 70 years of Sri Lankan independence.
  • 8 March – The funeral of Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thero proceeded with state of honour on 8 March 2018 in Colombo.[11]
  • 21 March – Internationally acclaimed documentary Demons in Paradise was released in Sri Lanka after its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

May

[edit]
  • 2 May – The final rites of the veteran film director Lester James Peiris proceeded with the state patronage.[12]
  • 19 May – Floods began as a result of heavy rainfall, starting from 19 May, resulting in severe damages throughout the island. The floods left 13 dead, 23 missing and over 100,000 affected due to torrential floods.[13][14]
  • 24 May – Ranjan de Silva, politician and father of Sri Lankan national cricketer Dhananjaya de Silva, was shot dead by unknown people.[15][16]
  • 26 May
  • 28 May – Sri Lankan veteran film and teledrama actress Deepani Silva was arrested and released on bail by the Bandaragama Police for her involvement in a car accident with three wheeler which left a 10-year-old child critically injured.[20][21][22][23]
  • 31 May
    • The Sri Lankan Cricket Elections which were scheduled to be held on 31 May 2018 were cancelled the day before following a stay order issued by the Court of Appeal, after a petition was filed against Sri Lankan Cricket Board president Thilanga Sumathipala contesting in the elections.[24][25]
    • A new map of Sri Lanka was officially released, with updates on Colombo City jointly with the Colombo Port city.[26] This was the first time the map of Sri Lanka was renewed in 18 years.[27]

June

[edit]

July

[edit]
  • 11 July
    • It was reported that Sri Lanka is going to reinstate Capital punishment for drug dealers, president Maithripala Sirisena told the government, which earlier had unanimously backed the reinstatement of capital punishment, that he "was ready to sign the death warrants".[31]
    • The ICC concluded its hearing on the trio including Dinesh Chandimal, who had pleaded guilty to a level three spirit of cricket offence. His hearing took place before the start of the first Test against South Africa, with him found guilty. He received a two-match ban, with Suranga Lakmal captaining the side in his place.[32][33]
  • 15 July – The scheduled inaugural edition of the Lankan Premier League which was supposed to be held in August 2018 was indefinitely postponed as a result of the change in country's cricket administration.[34][35]
  • 16 July – The independent Judicial Commissioner handed down a further eight suspension points with maximum possible punishment for their spirit of cricket offence and suspended Chandimal for four ODIs as well.[36][37]

August

[edit]
  • 18 August – Akalanka Peiris became the first ever Sri Lankan student to sit for a Sri Lankan GCE A/L examinations outside Sri Lanka as he was granted special permission to write A/L exams in Jakarta, Indonesia just prior to his preparations for the 2018 Asian Games.[38][39]
  • 26 August – Sri Lanka clinched maiden Carrom World Cup title in men's team event defeating defending champion India at the 2018 Carrom World Cup and also secured the second place in the women's team event.[40][41][42]

September

[edit]

October

[edit]

November

[edit]

December

[edit]

Deaths

[edit]

January

[edit]

February

[edit]
  • 2 February – Most Venerabale Professor Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero, 77 (Buddhist monk) [72]
  • 11 February – Ashoka Pieris, 50 (musician) [65]
  • 18 February – Kandiah Neelakandan, lawyer (b. 1947).[73]

March

[edit]

April

[edit]

May

[edit]
  • 1 May – Priyantha Fernando, 65 (singer) [82]
  • 27 May – W. D. Nimal Perera, 75 (cinematographer) [65]
  • 29 May – K. A. Dharmadasa, 83 (drum player) [65]

June

[edit]
  • 2 June – Athagama Ebert Amarasena, 79 (poet) [65]
  • 3 June – Monica Weerasinghe, (actress) [65]
  • 5 June – Hema Nalin Karunaratne, 55 (media personality) [83]
  • 9 June – Somaweera Senanayake, 73 (screenwriter) [84]
  • 13 June – Cyril Perera, 73 (musician) [65]
  • 15 June – Kamal J. Bernard, 65 (lyricist) [65]
  • 18 June – Ivor Dennis, 86 (singer) [85]
  • 20 June – Jayampathi Wimaladharma, 63 (actor) [65]
  • 25 June – Cyril Perera, 73 (musician) [86]
  • 29 June
    • S. Karunaratne, 78 (dramatist) [65]
    • Rohana Maddumarala, 77 (lyricist) [65]
  • 30 June

July

[edit]
  • 3 July – Piyasena Ihalavithana, 82 (journalist) [65]
  • 7 July – Sarath Dharmasiri, 56 (photographer) [65][90]
  • 8 July – Priyani Jayasinghe, 51 (singer) [91]
  • 11 July – Ruwan Hewage, 67 (actor) [65]
  • 14 July – Stanley de Silva, 84 (theater actor) [92]
  • 15 July – Rupa Kodithuwakku, (author) [65]
  • 16 July – Rita Tampoe, 80 (actress) [65][93]
  • 23 July
    • Tissa Gunawardena, 85 (dramatist) [94]
    • W. Ranjith Perera, 71 (director) [65]
  • 24 July – Indika Ginige, 37 (actor) [95]
  • 25 July – Daya Kumarage, (journalist) [65]
  • 27 July – Soma Kiriella, (dramatist) [65]
  • 29 July – Lloyd Gunawardena, 55 (actor) [96]

August

[edit]
  • 1 August – Raja K. Seneviratne, 73 (dramatist) [65]
  • 2 August – Nanda Wilegoda, 82 (actress) [65]
  • 7 August – Gihan Rathnayake, 32 (musician) [65]
  • 8 August – Indrajith Navinna, 70 (actor) [97]
  • 17 August – Balangoda Sarath Madu, 69 (artist) [98]
  • 24 August – Edwin Batawala, 76 (artist) [65]

September

[edit]
  • 11 September – Berty Thalagala, 83 (production manager) [65]
  • 14 September – K. D. G. Wimalaratne, 79 (former Director of National Archives) [65]
  • 24 September – Francis Ranasinghe, 64 (journalist) [65]

October

[edit]

November

[edit]
  • 1 November – Douglas Perera, 90 (actor) [65]
  • 5 November – Harish Jayaratne, 67 (actor) [103]

December

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Police opened tear gas after unusual incident in Kataragama". newsfirst. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. ^ "FIFA World Cup Trophy arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time in history". newsfirst. 24 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  3. ^ "The 2018 FIFA World Cup Trophy tour officially begins from Sri Lanka". reuters. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Sri Lanka celebrated its 70th Independence Day". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Arjun Alosysius and Kasun Palisena arrested related to the bond scam issues". Colombogazette. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Owner of Perpetual Treasuries Limited Arjun Alosysius and former CEO Kasun Palisena arrested". Sunday Leader. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Sri Lankan local elections, 2018 concluded". Adaderana. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  8. ^ "First national tamil film in 4 decades to be released on February 23". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Muslim mosque vandalized in Sri Lanka's Ampara District". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Another racist incident on Muslims this time around in the historical centre of Kandy". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Funeral with State patronage for Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thera, pioneer of Buddhist media". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  12. ^ "The state patronage honour to Lester James Peiris". Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Deadly monsoon rains lash Sri Lanka". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Over 68,000 affected by floods and landslides". Sri Lanka News. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Dhananjaya de Silva withdraws from West Indies tour after father killed by gunman". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Ranjan father of cricketer Dhananjaya de Silva shot dead". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  17. ^ "Exclusive: Cricket match-fixers caught in the act in Sri Lanka". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Al Jazeera reveals two Sri Lankan's who were involved in match-fixing". Sri Lanka News. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Marine biologist from Sri Lanka wins award in British Council's first ever Global Alumni awards". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Veteran actress Deepani Silva arrested over car crash". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  21. ^ "Popular Actress Deepani Silva Arrested By Bandaragama Police Following Accident". Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Deepani Silva granted bail in a car crash (CCTV footage)". Hiru News. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Actress Deepani Silva granted bail with conditions". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Court halts Sri Lanka cricket vote as crisis deepens - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  25. ^ "SLC elections postponed, again". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  26. ^ "The new Sri Lankan map including Port City released". Sunday Leader. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  27. ^ "The first Sri Lankan map to be updated after 18 years". News first. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  28. ^ "Sweet v sandpaper - why Chandimal's tampering is different". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  29. ^ "Dinesh Chandimal ball-tampering: SL captain banned". Daily News. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  30. ^ "Chandimal suspended for one Test; could miss four more". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  31. ^ "Sri Lanka will hang drug dealers, promises to replicate Philippines 'success'". South China Morning Post. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Chandimal, Hathurusingha out of SA Tests". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  33. ^ "Suranga Lakmal to Captain the Test series". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  34. ^ "Sri Lanka postpones new T20 cricket league". Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  35. ^ "Sri Lanka postpones new T20 cricket league". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  36. ^ "Chandimal to miss four more games over spirit of cricket breach". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  37. ^ "Dinesh Chandimal: Sri Lanka captain banned for two Tests and four ODIs". BBC Sport. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Akalanka will sit the GCE ALs in Indonesia and also swim at the Asian Games". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  39. ^ "Swimmer Akalanka gets green light to sit for GCE A/L exam in Jakarta". Daily News. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  40. ^ "Sri Lanka men's team slicers secure maiden World Cup victory". Sportstarlive. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  41. ^ "Lankans bring home the Carrom world title". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  42. ^ "The official website of Sri Lanka Navy - Sri Lankan champion slicers warmly welcomed at BIA". news.navy.lk. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  43. ^ "Jana Balaya will go ahead despite venues being cancelled: JO". Dailymirror. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  44. ^ "Teplitz confirmed as US Ambassador to SL". Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  45. ^ Lester Wong (9 September 2018). "Netball: Sri Lanka prove too strong for Singapore as they triumph 69-50 in Asian Championship final". Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  46. ^ "MR off to India today". Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  47. ^ "SriLanka to host Asian Volleyball Men's Challenge Cup - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst | Breaking News and Latest News provider | Political | Sports | International | Business. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  48. ^ "Asian volleyball Trophy starts Sri Lanka tour". Sunday Observer. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  49. ^ "Lanka lose to Iraq 3-1 battle for third place".
  50. ^ "CBK, first Sri Lankan to receive France's Highest National Order". Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  51. ^ Prabhath. "President Kumaratunga becomes the first Sri Lankan to be awarded France's Highest National Order - Commander of the Legion of Honour". Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  52. ^ "CBK becomes first Sri Lankan recipient of France's highest honour". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  53. ^ "Indian team finishes runner-up in Red Bull Campus Cricket World tourney". 29 September 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  54. ^ "Para athletes bag 14 medals at Asian Para Games 2018 | FT Online". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  55. ^ Peiris, Sudarshana (15 October 2018). "Parami wins Sri Lanka's maiden YOG medal". www.thepapare.com. Dialog Axiata. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  56. ^ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/sri-lanka-s-ex-president-rajapaksa-sworn-in-as-prime-minister-10868814[permanent dead link]
  57. ^ Kuruwita, Rathindra; Rasheed, Zaheena. "Sri Lanka president dissolves parliament, sets January snap poll". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  58. ^ Bastians, Dharisha; Goel, Vindu (9 November 2018). "Sri Lanka President Dissolves Parliament Amid Power Struggle". New York Times. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  59. ^ "Parliament dissolved from midnight". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  60. ^ "Rangana Herath to retire after first England Test". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  61. ^ "Champion cricketers from the blues". Sunday Observer. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  62. ^ Sridheran, Sharmeegan (30 November 2018). "Sri Lanka win inaugural Deaf-ICC T20 World Cup - 2018". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  63. ^ "Lucion Pushparaj wins 2018 World Bodybuilding Championship". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  64. ^ "Sri Lanka : Heavy floods in Northern districts of Sri Lanka displace thousands, reservoirs overflow". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  65. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "They said goodbye to us". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  66. ^ "Francis Wanniarachchi dies". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  67. ^ "Obituary Notice – Senior Professor Gihan Wikramanayaka". ucsc.cmb.ac.lk. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  68. ^ "Farewell to our art world friend Adeesha Kanchana". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  69. ^ "Obituaries". Daily News. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  70. ^ "Manoharan who brought Surangani dies". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  71. ^ "A forerunner of revolutionary cinematic thought". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  72. ^ "Most Venerabale Professor Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thero passes away". newsfirst. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  73. ^ "Senior Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer passed away". Tamilnews (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  74. ^ "Funeral of Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thera today". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  75. ^ a b "Irene de Alwis bids farewell". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  76. ^ "கலாபூஷணம் வசந்தா வைத்தியநாதன் காலமானார் - Newsfirst". Sri Lanka Tamil News - Newsfirst | News1st | newsfirst.lk | Breaking. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  77. ^ "Edna no more". Daily News. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  78. ^ "Saliya Diaz dies". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  79. ^ "Veteran actor Ratnavali Kekunawela passes away". colomboxnews. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  80. ^ "Popular Sri Lankan actress drowns in Kelani River". newstrails. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  81. ^ "Funeral of Lester James Peiris to take place with a state patronage on May 2". Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  82. ^ "Popular singer Priyantha Fernando passed away". leisureplus. May 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  83. ^ "TV personality Hema Nalin Karunaratne found dead". Daily News. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  84. ^ "Sunday Times - Renowned script writer Somaweera Senanayake passes away". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  85. ^ "Versatile singer Ivor Dennis is no more". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  86. ^ "Nandaneeya Pema becomes silent forever". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  87. ^ "President paid his last respects to the late veteran vocalist Athula Soamasiri". Daily News. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  88. ^ "'Silumina' , 'Resa' Editor-In-Chief Chamara Lakshan passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  89. ^ "Roy de Silva, the master blaster of Sinhala cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  90. ^ "Sarath Dharmasiri's funeral on Monday". news.lk. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  91. ^ "Female Singer Priyani Jayasinghe hacked to death". Ada Derana. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  92. ^ "Farewell to Stanley". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  93. ^ "Obituaries". Daily News. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  94. ^ "Playwright Tissa Gunawardena ends his life". Dinamina. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  95. ^ "Artist Indika Ginige passes away". News First. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  96. ^ "Popular film artiste Lloyd no more". Sri Lanka Mirror. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  97. ^ "Veteran actor Indrajith Nawinna passes away". Ada Derana. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  98. ^ "Popular Painter "Sarath Madu" Has Passed Away". emanthi-news. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  99. ^ "Popular Singer And Comedian Ronnie Leitch Passes Away In Australia Due To Sudden Illness". Asian Mirror. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  100. ^ "Actor Sunil Premakumara no more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  101. ^ "Dagadasa left". sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  102. ^ "Veteran singer Amara Ranthunge passed away at the age of 79". News First. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  103. ^ "Harish Jayaratne dies". sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  104. ^ "Veteran singer Upali Kannangara dies aged 67". newsfirst. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  105. ^ Prince Casinader passes away