News
Flashback 2014
View(s):2014 was marked with several upheavals in the political landscape of the country. The year also saw the rise of ethnic tensions while nature too took its toll on the country, first with a severe drought affecting several areas followed by floods and landslides that left many dead and homeless. Here is a look back:
The site of the Ananda College tragedy
January
January 12 – MP Kabir Hashim took over as the new Chairman of the United National Party (UNP) replacing Kurunegala District MP Gamini Jayawickrema Perera who stepped down from the post.
January 21 – A nine-year-old student of Ananda College died tragically after being crushed by a turf roller in the school grounds.
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February
February 2 – Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed new leader of the JVP.
February 2 – Journalist Mel Gunesekera murdered at her residence.
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March
March 5 – Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai paid an official two-day visit to Sri Lanka.
March 16 – Bogambara Prison which was closed down was opened for public viewing.
Victorious T20 SL cricket team arrives in Sri Lanka
March 17 – Veteran actress Mercy Edirisinghe passed away at the age of 68.
March 21 – First school for prisoners in Sri Lanka opened at Watareka Prison.
March 19 – Colombo National Hospital opened in 1864 marked 150 years of service.
March 29 – Provincial Council Elections to the Southern and Western Provinces held.
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April
April 2 – Five convicted police officers charged with conspiracy to abduct, abduction and murder sentenced to death for the murder of two youths in the Angulana area.
April 6 – The Sri Lanka Cricket team won the twenty-twenty World Cup beating India in the final played in Bangladesh.
April 11 – The Army killed Selvanyagan Kajeepana alias Gobi, along with two accomplices. Gobi was identified as the leading figure behind attempts to revive the LTTE.
April 17 – UNP MPs visiting Hambantota on a fact finding mission attacked by local politicians from the ruling party
November 21: Maithripala Sirisena quits the UPFA to come forward as common candidate for the Presidential election
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May
May 6 – The 15th World Conference on Youth inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the international convention centre in Hambantota
May 9 – The Royal Park murder convict Shramantha Jayamaha sentenced to death by the Supreme Court.
May 21 – Government defeated the no confidence motion tabled by the UNP by a majority of 94 votes.
May 26 – President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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June
June 3 – Earthslips caused by heavy rains claimed 15 lives in the Colombo and Kalutara Districts.
June 12 – Havoc at Alutgama and Beruwala due to ethnic violence between Muslims and Sinhalese.
Alutgama: Scene of violence
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July
July 1 – Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera assumed duties as the 19th commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.
July 10 – Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith announces the visit of his Holiness Pope Francis to Sri Lanka in January, 2015.
July 14 – A new Customs Museum is opened at Maliban Street, Pettah by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
July 18 – Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Sampath Vidana Pathirana sentenced to 20 years of hard labour for killing a British national and for raping the victim’s Russian girlfriend.
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August
August 12 – A 47-year-old lady doctor died following an injection during a cosmetic surgery.
August 25 – A Floating Market was opened in Pettah .
Koslanda tragedy
August 27 – A 21-year-old girl who allegedly slapped a youth at the Wariyapola bus stand was released on surety bail. The incident which was captured on video went viral on the internet becoming a social media sensation.
August 31 – A veteran public servant and former Secretary General of Parliament, Sam Wijesinha died at the age of 93.
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September
September 1 – Veteran trade union activist Bala Tampoe died at the age of 92.
September 5 – Former LTTE member Shanmuganathan Sudaharan was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for killing 31 people including retired Major General Janaka Perera.
All smiles: President Rajapaksa arrives in Parliamnet to make the Budget speech
September 6 – Video footage of a woman being brutally assaulted on a street in Ratnapura by a Police Sergeant went viral on social media. The Police Sergeant was suspended with immediate effect.
September 8 – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Sri Lanka. He was the first Japanese premier to visit Sri Lanka in 24 years.
September 16 – Chinese President, Xi Jinping visited Sri Lanka becoming the first Chinese head of state to visit Sri Lanka in 28 years.
September 20 – The Uva Provincial Council election concludes. The UPFA emerges victorious but the UNP makes a strong showing.
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October
October 3 – Dr. Chris Nonis resigned as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Great Britain following an alleged assault on him in New York by monitoring Minister of the External Affairs Ministry, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena.
October 13 –After a lapse of 24 years the Yal Devi express train made its first trip to Jaffna. President Mahinda Rajapaksa joined the inaugural journey.
October 24 – The Budget for 2015 was presented to Parliament by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Minister of Finance and Planning.
October 29 – Landslides at Koslande left 16 dead and many others missing. Hundreds were displaced from their homes.
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November
November 1 – Malaka Silva, son of UPFA MP Mervyn Silva was arrested following a complaint lodged by a British couple over an alleged assault on them at a nightclub.
November 21 – Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary MP Maithripala Sirisena declared that he will be contesting the Presidential election against incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He quit the Government with MPs Rajitha Senaratne, Duminda Dissanayake, M. K. D. S. Gunawardena and Rajiva Wijesinha. He was backed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and JHU MPs the Ven. Aturaliye Ratana Thera and MP Champika Ranawaka.
November 24 – The 10th Budget of the UPFA was passed with 152 votes in favour and 52 against.
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December
December 8 – Provincial councillor Hirunika Premachandra extends her support to Maithripala Sirisena.
December 8 – MP Tissa Attanayake quits as UNP General Secretary and joins the Government. MP Jayantha Ketagoda too says he will back President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
December 8 – Kabir Hashim appointed new general secretary of the UNP.
December 8 – Nineteen candidates hand in nominations to contest the Presidential Election. The Presidential poll is fixed for January 8.
December 12 – A Ukranian made Antonov-32 plane belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force crashed in Athurugiriya .All five on board die.
December 23 – President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s election manifesto ‘Lowa Dinana Maga’ for the 2015 Presidential poll, unveiled in Colombo.
December 25 – Six people died in Badulla due to landslides while extreme weather conditions prevailed around the country.
Compiled by Yomal Senerath Yapa and Chamal Weerakkody