Праздники на шри ланке 2019

Шри-Ланка – одна из самых «праздничных» стран мира. Благодаря тому, что на острове целых 4 основных религии со своими традициями, национальных праздников здесь аж 25!

Праздники на Шри-Ланке – это красочное необычное зрелище, очень увлекательное не только для местных жителей, но и для туристов. Присутствие на местном празднике помогает туристам лучше узнать местную культуру и традиции, а также хорошо отдохнуть и интересно провести время.

Праздники Шри-Ланки в 2019 году

Планируя свой отпуск на Шри-Ланку стоит свериться с местным календарём праздников – вдруг вам посчастливится попасть на грандиозный карнавал? Основные праздники Шри-Ланки и их даты в этом году приведём ниже, помесячно, начиная с апреля.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в апреле

• С 13 на 14 апреля наступает Новый год по ланкийски. В это время практически нет увеселительных мероприятий – Новый год здесь считается семейным праздником, в это время принято заботиться о старших и передавать опыт и благословение младшим, убирать дом и делать «фундамент» будущих дел (считается, что все начинания в канун Нового года будут успешными).
• 19 апреля – Бак Поя – религиозный праздник, посвящённый второму посещению Шри-Ланки Буддой. Данный праздник проходит под девизом «понимай Истину».
• 19 апреля – Великая пятница накануне Пасхи – день, когда по преданию распяли Иисуса Христа. День этот и следующую ночь принято проводить в молитвах.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в мае

• 1 мая – День труда. В этот день проводятся демонстрации и собираются на митинги представители правящих партий.
• 18-19 мая – Весак Поя. Этот самый священных для исповедующих буддизм праздник полнолуния на Шри-Ланке (отмечают его в первое полнолуние мая). Считается, что в этот период, но в разные годы появился на свет, пробудился и ушёл в Нирвану сам Будда, а также почтил третьим визитом Шри-Ланку. Отмечают этот праздник очень красиво: днём украшают все буддистские храмы, а ночью повсеместно зажигают фонарики и масляные лампы, благодаря чему вся Шри-Ланка сияет.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в июне

• 16 июня – Посон Поя. Посон Поя – также праздник полнолуния, чуть менее значимый, чем майский, однако также очень почитаемый. Именно в этот день, согласно истории, на Шри-Ланку пришёл буддизм, который стал основной религией на острове. Случилось это 2550 лет назад, когда сыном короля Индии, который был отправлен на остров в качестве просветителя, была прочитана проповедь на горе Михинтале (это место является древнейшим святилищем буддистской религии в мире). В этот день принято читать буддистские сутры и запасаться священной водой из Тиссавевы – самого древнего водохранилища Анурадхапуры.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в июле

• 16 июля – Эсала Поя. Праздник в честь первой проповеди Будды и выдвижения теории срединного пути. Также в этот день буддистской общине были переданы пещеры неподалёку от Михинтале (всего 68 пещер). Позже в этот же день на Шри-Ланку была доставлена самая священная реликвия для буддистского народа – Зуб Будды.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в августе

• 5 -15 августа – Эсала Перахера в Канди. До середины августа последняя королевская столица празднует фестиваль, продолжительностью в 10 ночей и 11 дней, посвященный главной буддистской реликвии – Зубу Будды. По традиции, в дни празднования срезают дерево Эсала (сейчас вместо него используют дерево Руккатана или Джек), и его срез, выделяющий белый сок, становится местом поклонения, а сам сок символизирует процветание. Каждый день празднования имеет свои традиции, поэтому одиннадцатидневный фестиваль представляет собой очень колоритное зрелище, посетить которое будет чрезвычайно интересно каждому туристу.
• 12 августа – Ид Уль Адха (фестиваль Хадж). Данный мусульманский праздник официально признан на Шри-Ланке нерабочим днём, он свидетельствует об окончании Хаджа и называется также Праздником Совершения Жертвоприношения. В этот день верующие стремятся попасть в Мекку – священный город для мусульман.
• 15 августа – Никини Поя. Праздник восьмого в году полнолуния символизирует уединение. В этот время начинается сезон дождей, на протяжении которого монахам надлежит оставаться в своих обителях и молиться.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в сентябре

• 13 сентября – Бинара Поя. Это очень важный день для буддистской общины – в этот день был основан орден монахов-женщин. День этот принято проводить в медитациях.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в октябре

• 13 октября – Вап Поя. В этот день заканчивается время Уединения, длившееся на протяжении сезона дождей, монахи в новых одеждах вспоминают пять основных принципов воздержания и осуществляют Катхина Сивара Пуджа, известное ещё как Восемь Великих Добродетелей.
• 27 октября – Фестиваль Огней или Дипавали. Индуистский праздник, в который принято одеваться в новое, освещать своё жилище и пространство вокруг дома неоновыми огнями и свечами, готовить сладости. Всё это, по преданию, должно расположить к жителям дома Лакшми – богиню богатства и процветания.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в ноябре

• 10 ноября – Милад-Ан-Наби. Мусульмане в этот день празднуют день появления на свет Пророка Муххамеда.
• 12 ноября – Ил Поя. С этого дня монахам разрешено покидать свои обители, поэтому этот день принято отмечать широко. Этот день знаменит предсказанием об обретении миром Просветлённого Будды, а также заложением первой в Анурадхапуре ступы – Тупарамы.

Праздники на Шри-Ланке в декабре

• 11 декабря – Ундувап Поя. В этот день на Шри-Ланку была доставлена ветка дерева Бо (Бодхи) – одна из самых ценнейших в буддизме реликвий. Дерево существует по сей день, и на данный момент ему 2250 лет, а его отростки растут по всей Юго-Восточной Азии.
• 25 декабря – Рождество Христово. Несмотря на то, что этот праздник – католический, отмечают его на всей территории Шри-Ланки (католичество является одной из основных религий острова). В этот день принято наряжать елку и дарить подарки близким, и эту традицию на Шри-Ланке поддерживают и люди других вероисповеданий.

Какой же праздник на Шри-Ланке сегодня? Пора сверяться с календарём!

Ближайшие праздники на Шри-Ланке в 2019 году

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This page lists notable events that took place in the year 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[edit]

National[edit]

President	Prime Minister	Speaker	Chief Justice	Opposition Leader
Gotabaya Rajapaksa (Age 70)	Mahinda Rajapaksa (Age 74)	Karu Jayasuriya (Age 79)	Jayantha Jayasuriya	Vacant
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (from 18 November 2019)	Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (from 21 November 2019)	United National Party (since 1 September 2015)	Independent (from 29 April 2019)	(from 21 November 2019)

Former

President	Prime Minister	Chief Justice	Opposition Leader
Maithripala Sirisena (Age 68)	Ranil Wickremesinghe (Age 70)	Nalin Perera (Age 65)	Mahinda Rajapaksa (Age 74)
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (9 January 2015 – 18 November 2019)	United National Party (15 December 2018 – 21 November 2019)	Independent (12 October 2018 – 29 April 2019)	Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (18 December 2018 – 21 November 2019)

Provincial[edit]

Governors

• Central Province –
  • until 3 January: P. B. Dissanayake
  • 3 January-3 August: Maithri Gunaratne
  • 3 August-12 November: Keerthi Thennakoon
  • starting 12 November: Lalith U Gamage
• Eastern Province –
  • until 3 January: Anuradha Yahampath
  • 3 January-5 June: Rohitha Bogollagama
  • 5 June-20 November: M. L. A. M. Hizbullah
  • 20 November-4 December: Shan Wijayalal De Silva
  • starting 4 December: Anuradha Yahampath
• North Central Province –
  • until 2 January: M. P. Jayasinghe
  • 2 January-4 December: Sarath Ekanayake
  • starting 4 December: Tissa Vitharana
• Northern Province – P. S. M. Charles
• North Western Province –
  • until 3 January: K. C. Logeswaran
  • 3 January-20 November: Peshala Jayarathne
  • starting 20 November: A. J. M. Muzammil
• Sabaragamuwa Province –
  • until 2 January: Niluka Ekanayake
  • 2 January-20 December: Dr Dhamma Dissanayake
  • starting 20 December: Tikiri Kobbekaduwa
• Southern Province –
  • until 9 January: Marshal Perera
  • 9 January-3 August: Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon
  • 3 August-20 November: Hemal Gunasekara
  • starting 20 November: Willie Gamage
• Uva Province –
  • until 3 January: Raja Collure
  • 7 January-9 January: Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon
  • 9 January-3 August: Marshall Perera
  • 4 August-20 November: Maithri Gunaratne
  • starting 20 November: Raja Collure
• Western Province –
  • until 1 January: Hemakumara Nanayakkara
  • 3 January-3 June: Azath Salley
  • 4 June-20 November: A. J. M. Muzammil
  • starting 20 November: Seetha Arambepola

Chief Ministers[edit]

• Central Province – Sarath Ekanayake (until 26 April); vacant (starting 26 April)
• Eastern Province – vacant
• North Central Province – vacant
• Northern Province – C. V. Vigneswaran
• North Western Province – Dharmasiri Dassanayake
• Sabaragamuwa Province – vacant
• Southern Province – Shan Wijayalal De Silva (until 26 April); vacant thereafter
• Uva Province – Chamara Sampath Dassanayake (until 9 October); vacant thereafter (starting 3 October)
• Western Province – Isura Devapriya

Events[edit]

• 2019 Sri Lanka electricity crisis
• 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings
• 2019 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka
• 2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis

Events by month[edit]

February[edit]

• 6 February − Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena stresses 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 registers their first ever test series win against South Africa in South Africa, becoming the first ever Asian team to achieve the feat.^[4]

March[edit]

• 8 March − Marini de Livera wins the 2019 International Women of Courage Award and becomes the first Sri Lankan to receive the award.^[5][6]
• 14−21 March − Sri Lankan contingent claims a tally of 4 medals at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.^[7]
• 24 March − 2019 Sri Lanka electricity crisis: the Ceylon Electricity Board begins to impose four-hour power cuts on a scheduled basis throughout the country after the national grid capacity failed to meet the increased demand for power due to dry climate, and due to limited power generation.^[8][9]
• 31 March − Sri Lankan test captain Dimuth Karunaratne is arrested for a drunk driving incident in Colombo, which injured another motorist. Karunaratne was later released on bail. His driving license was also cancelled off after the accident.^[10][11]

April[edit]

• 1 April − The 100th-year anniversary of the death of late entrepreneur Jacob De Mel was remembered.^[12]
• 4 April − Janaka Kanchana sets a new Guinness World Record by breaking 50 concrete slabs on his chest within 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
• 17 April − Dimuth Karunaratne is officially appointed by 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, is sent to the International Space Station. At around 2:16 AM the satellite was launched successfully.^[15][16][17]
• 21 April − 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings: A series of bomb blasts at eight locations in Sri Lanka, including three churches, four hotels and one housing complex in Colombo, on Easter Sunday, killing 259 people and leaving over 500 injured. The bombings were carried out by the National Thowheeth Jama’ath, a Sri Lankan Islamic terrorist group, and the Islamic State also claimed responsibility for the attack. It was the first major attack in the country since the Sri Lankan Civil War ended in 2009.
• 29 April − Aftermath of the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, Sainthamaruthu shootout: Sri Lankan security forces and National Thowheeth Jama’ath militants clash after security forces raided a house in the town of Sainthamaruthu.

May[edit]

• 6−16 May − A series of anti-Muslim riots erupt across the country in response to the Easter bombings. Many Muslim citizens, mosques and Muslim-owned businesses were attacked by mobs of Sinhalese Buddhist nationalists.
• 19 May − 2019 cyberattacks on Sri Lanka^[18]

June[edit]

• 3 June − A protest led by hardline Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and its leader Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara demanded the resignations of Muslim ministers and governors. All of Sri Lanka’s Muslim ministers and their deputies subsequently resigned from their portfolios.^[19][20]
• 6 June − Sri Lankan Airlines is rated as the world’s most punctual airline for the second successive year^[21]
• 26 June − President Maithripala Sirisena signs 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 21st attacks.^[23][24]

July[edit]

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

August[edit]

• 17 August − Shavendra Silva is officially appointed as the new Army Commander, replacing Mahesh Senanayake.^[26]
• 18 August − Shavendra Silva officially commences his new term as the new Sri Lankan Army Commander.
• 28 August − Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis, known for inventing carrom ball, retires from all forms of cricket.^[27]

September[edit]

• 13−26 September − 2019 Sri Lanka floods: At least two persons are reported dead and 282 houses are completely damaged due to floods in Colombo, Galle and Matara.^[28][29]
• 16 September − Sri Lanka and South Asia’s tallest tower, the Lotus Tower, is declared open following a grand opening ceremony.^[30]
• 23 September − President Maithripala Sirisena claims allegations against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for requesting to appoint Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe as new Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. In the same month, Dilrukshi Dias is involved in a controversial discussion with Avant Garde chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi.^[31][32]
• 25−29 September − So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 concludes with Mitch Parkinson of Australia defeating Indonesia’s Oney Anwar in the final.^[33][34]
• 25 September−7 October − 2019 railway strike in Sri Lanka: Railway strikes take place for 12 consecutive days.^[35][36]
• 27 September − The Sri Lankan cricket team tours 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[edit]

• 5 October − The first ever public debate amongst presidential candidates takes place for the upcoming election.^[39]
• 7 October − Presidential nominations for the upcoming election a reheld at Rajagiriya.^[40]
• 17 October − The Jaffna International Airport is officially opened, thus making it the country’s third international airport.^[41]

November[edit]

• 8 November − One Galle Face mall, which belongs to Shangri La, is opened to the public for the first time.^[42]
• 10 November − Outgoing president Maithripala Sirisena gives pardon to the convict of the Royal Park Murder of a Swedish teenage girl.^[43][44][45]
• 16 November − Sri Lankan presidential election: Sri Lankan voters head to the polls to elect a new president. A record 35 candidates ran for office, former Minister of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins in a landslide victory.^[46][47]
• 25 November − A Sri Lankan Swiss embassy staff member working in Colombo claims 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[edit]

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. In December 2019, the Swiss State Secretary of the EDA Pascale Baeriswyl summoned the Sri Lankan ambassador to Switzerland to voice concern on the medical situation of the employee.^[60] The Government of Sri Lanka rejected the request from Swiss authorities to send the staff member 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[edit]

• 7 December − Caroline Jurie is crowned as the winner of 2020 Mrs. World contest.^[80]

Deaths[edit]

January[edit]

• 19 January − Mark Samson, 62 (actor) ^[81]
• 20 January − Mithra Wettimuny, 67 (cricketer) ^[82]
• 19 January − Nisitha Warnasuriya, 58 (broadcaster) ^[83]
• 23 January − Jayatissa Alahakoon, 86 (music director) ^[84]

February[edit]

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

March[edit]

• 4 March − Devi Sakunthala, (actress) ^[88]
• 13 March − Sarath Namalgama, 61 (actor) ^[89]
• 28 March − Kalalakshmi Thevarajah, (writer)
• 29 March − Daya Abeysekara, 80 (journalist) ^[90]

April[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 5 May − Asoka Hewawitharana, (actor) ^[95]
• 21 May − Ranjith Weerasinghe, 69 (journalist) ^[96]
• 27 May − Gamini Hettiarachchi, 68 (dramatist) ^[97]
• 31 May − Chitra Wakishta, 82 (actress) ^[98]

June[edit]

• 23 June − Indrani Wijebandara, 83 (songstress) ^[99]

July[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 5 August − Salinda Dissanayake, 61 (politician) ^[104]
• 12 August – Daya Wimalaweera, 81 (filmmaker) ^[105]
• 21 August – Sriya Ratnakara, 85 (journalist) ^[106]

September[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 20 October − Mellony Wijesinghe, 17, (netball player).^[110]
• 20 October − Shelton Weeraratne, 71 (lyricist) ^[111]

November[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 2 December − Vini Vitharana, 91, (academic).^[116]
• 4 December − Ranjith de Zoysa, 57, (politician) ^[117]

Holidays[edit]

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[edit]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This page lists notable events that took place in the year 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[edit]

National[edit]

President	Prime Minister	Speaker	Chief Justice	Opposition Leader
Gotabaya Rajapaksa (Age 70)	Mahinda Rajapaksa (Age 74)	Karu Jayasuriya (Age 79)	Jayantha Jayasuriya	Vacant
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (from 18 November 2019)	Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (from 21 November 2019)	United National Party (since 1 September 2015)	Independent (from 29 April 2019)	(from 21 November 2019)

Former

President	Prime Minister	Chief Justice	Opposition Leader
Maithripala Sirisena (Age 68)	Ranil Wickremesinghe (Age 70)	Nalin Perera (Age 65)	Mahinda Rajapaksa (Age 74)
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (9 January 2015 – 18 November 2019)	United National Party (15 December 2018 – 21 November 2019)	Independent (12 October 2018 – 29 April 2019)	Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (18 December 2018 – 21 November 2019)

Provincial[edit]

Governors

• Central Province –
  • until 3 January: P. B. Dissanayake
  • 3 January-3 August: Maithri Gunaratne
  • 3 August-12 November: Keerthi Thennakoon
  • starting 12 November: Lalith U Gamage
• Eastern Province –
  • until 3 January: Anuradha Yahampath
  • 3 January-5 June: Rohitha Bogollagama
  • 5 June-20 November: M. L. A. M. Hizbullah
  • 20 November-4 December: Shan Wijayalal De Silva
  • starting 4 December: Anuradha Yahampath
• North Central Province –
  • until 2 January: M. P. Jayasinghe
  • 2 January-4 December: Sarath Ekanayake
  • starting 4 December: Tissa Vitharana
• Northern Province – P. S. M. Charles
• North Western Province –
  • until 3 January: K. C. Logeswaran
  • 3 January-20 November: Peshala Jayarathne
  • starting 20 November: A. J. M. Muzammil
• Sabaragamuwa Province –
  • until 2 January: Niluka Ekanayake
  • 2 January-20 December: Dr Dhamma Dissanayake
  • starting 20 December: Tikiri Kobbekaduwa
• Southern Province –
  • until 9 January: Marshal Perera
  • 9 January-3 August: Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon
  • 3 August-20 November: Hemal Gunasekara
  • starting 20 November: Willie Gamage
• Uva Province –
  • until 3 January: Raja Collure
  • 7 January-9 January: Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon
  • 9 January-3 August: Marshall Perera
  • 4 August-20 November: Maithri Gunaratne
  • starting 20 November: Raja Collure
• Western Province –
  • until 1 January: Hemakumara Nanayakkara
  • 3 January-3 June: Azath Salley
  • 4 June-20 November: A. J. M. Muzammil
  • starting 20 November: Seetha Arambepola

Chief Ministers[edit]

• Central Province – Sarath Ekanayake (until 26 April); vacant (starting 26 April)
• Eastern Province – vacant
• North Central Province – vacant
• Northern Province – C. V. Vigneswaran
• North Western Province – Dharmasiri Dassanayake
• Sabaragamuwa Province – vacant
• Southern Province – Shan Wijayalal De Silva (until 26 April); vacant thereafter
• Uva Province – Chamara Sampath Dassanayake (until 9 October); vacant thereafter (starting 3 October)
• Western Province – Isura Devapriya

Events[edit]

• 2019 Sri Lanka electricity crisis
• 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings
• 2019 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka
• 2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis

Events by month[edit]

February[edit]

• 6 February − Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena stresses 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 registers their first ever test series win against South Africa in South Africa, becoming the first ever Asian team to achieve the feat.^[4]

March[edit]

• 8 March − Marini de Livera wins the 2019 International Women of Courage Award and becomes the first Sri Lankan to receive the award.^[5][6]
• 14−21 March − Sri Lankan contingent claims a tally of 4 medals at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.^[7]
• 24 March − 2019 Sri Lanka electricity crisis: the Ceylon Electricity Board begins to impose four-hour power cuts on a scheduled basis throughout the country after the national grid capacity failed to meet the increased demand for power due to dry climate, and due to limited power generation.^[8][9]
• 31 March − Sri Lankan test captain Dimuth Karunaratne is arrested for a drunk driving incident in Colombo, which injured another motorist. Karunaratne was later released on bail. His driving license was also cancelled off after the accident.^[10][11]

April[edit]

• 1 April − The 100th-year anniversary of the death of late entrepreneur Jacob De Mel was remembered.^[12]
• 4 April − Janaka Kanchana sets a new Guinness World Record by breaking 50 concrete slabs on his chest within 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
• 17 April − Dimuth Karunaratne is officially appointed by 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, is sent to the International Space Station. At around 2:16 AM the satellite was launched successfully.^[15][16][17]
• 21 April − 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings: A series of bomb blasts at eight locations in Sri Lanka, including three churches, four hotels and one housing complex in Colombo, on Easter Sunday, killing 259 people and leaving over 500 injured. The bombings were carried out by the National Thowheeth Jama’ath, a Sri Lankan Islamic terrorist group, and the Islamic State also claimed responsibility for the attack. It was the first major attack in the country since the Sri Lankan Civil War ended in 2009.
• 29 April − Aftermath of the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, Sainthamaruthu shootout: Sri Lankan security forces and National Thowheeth Jama’ath militants clash after security forces raided a house in the town of Sainthamaruthu.

May[edit]

• 6−16 May − A series of anti-Muslim riots erupt across the country in response to the Easter bombings. Many Muslim citizens, mosques and Muslim-owned businesses were attacked by mobs of Sinhalese Buddhist nationalists.
• 19 May − 2019 cyberattacks on Sri Lanka^[18]

June[edit]

• 3 June − A protest led by hardline Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and its leader Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara demanded the resignations of Muslim ministers and governors. All of Sri Lanka’s Muslim ministers and their deputies subsequently resigned from their portfolios.^[19][20]
• 6 June − Sri Lankan Airlines is rated as the world’s most punctual airline for the second successive year^[21]
• 26 June − President Maithripala Sirisena signs 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 21st attacks.^[23][24]

July[edit]

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

August[edit]

• 17 August − Shavendra Silva is officially appointed as the new Army Commander, replacing Mahesh Senanayake.^[26]
• 18 August − Shavendra Silva officially commences his new term as the new Sri Lankan Army Commander.
• 28 August − Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis, known for inventing carrom ball, retires from all forms of cricket.^[27]

September[edit]

• 13−26 September − 2019 Sri Lanka floods: At least two persons are reported dead and 282 houses are completely damaged due to floods in Colombo, Galle and Matara.^[28][29]
• 16 September − Sri Lanka and South Asia’s tallest tower, the Lotus Tower, is declared open following a grand opening ceremony.^[30]
• 23 September − President Maithripala Sirisena claims allegations against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for requesting to appoint Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe as new Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. In the same month, Dilrukshi Dias is involved in a controversial discussion with Avant Garde chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi.^[31][32]
• 25−29 September − So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 concludes with Mitch Parkinson of Australia defeating Indonesia’s Oney Anwar in the final.^[33][34]
• 25 September−7 October − 2019 railway strike in Sri Lanka: Railway strikes take place for 12 consecutive days.^[35][36]
• 27 September − The Sri Lankan cricket team tours 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[edit]

• 5 October − The first ever public debate amongst presidential candidates takes place for the upcoming election.^[39]
• 7 October − Presidential nominations for the upcoming election a reheld at Rajagiriya.^[40]
• 17 October − The Jaffna International Airport is officially opened, thus making it the country’s third international airport.^[41]

November[edit]

• 8 November − One Galle Face mall, which belongs to Shangri La, is opened to the public for the first time.^[42]
• 10 November − Outgoing president Maithripala Sirisena gives pardon to the convict of the Royal Park Murder of a Swedish teenage girl.^[43][44][45]
• 16 November − Sri Lankan presidential election: Sri Lankan voters head to the polls to elect a new president. A record 35 candidates ran for office, former Minister of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins in a landslide victory.^[46][47]
• 25 November − A Sri Lankan Swiss embassy staff member working in Colombo claims 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[edit]

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. In December 2019, the Swiss State Secretary of the EDA Pascale Baeriswyl summoned the Sri Lankan ambassador to Switzerland to voice concern on the medical situation of the employee.^[60] The Government of Sri Lanka rejected the request from Swiss authorities to send the staff member 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[edit]

• 7 December − Caroline Jurie is crowned as the winner of 2020 Mrs. World contest.^[80]

Deaths[edit]

January[edit]

• 19 January − Mark Samson, 62 (actor) ^[81]
• 20 January − Mithra Wettimuny, 67 (cricketer) ^[82]
• 19 January − Nisitha Warnasuriya, 58 (broadcaster) ^[83]
• 23 January − Jayatissa Alahakoon, 86 (music director) ^[84]

February[edit]

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

March[edit]

• 4 March − Devi Sakunthala, (actress) ^[88]
• 13 March − Sarath Namalgama, 61 (actor) ^[89]
• 28 March − Kalalakshmi Thevarajah, (writer)
• 29 March − Daya Abeysekara, 80 (journalist) ^[90]

April[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 5 May − Asoka Hewawitharana, (actor) ^[95]
• 21 May − Ranjith Weerasinghe, 69 (journalist) ^[96]
• 27 May − Gamini Hettiarachchi, 68 (dramatist) ^[97]
• 31 May − Chitra Wakishta, 82 (actress) ^[98]

June[edit]

• 23 June − Indrani Wijebandara, 83 (songstress) ^[99]

July[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 5 August − Salinda Dissanayake, 61 (politician) ^[104]
• 12 August – Daya Wimalaweera, 81 (filmmaker) ^[105]
• 21 August – Sriya Ratnakara, 85 (journalist) ^[106]

September[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 20 October − Mellony Wijesinghe, 17, (netball player).^[110]
• 20 October − Shelton Weeraratne, 71 (lyricist) ^[111]

November[edit]

• 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[edit]

• 2 December − Vini Vitharana, 91, (academic).^[116]
• 4 December − Ranjith de Zoysa, 57, (politician) ^[117]

Holidays[edit]

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[edit]

Ближайшие праздники и выходные дни на Шри-Ланке!

На Шри-Ланке выходными днями являются субботы и воскресенья, а также дни полнолуния — Poya Day, предназначенные для медитаций. Фиксированную дату имеют только некоторые официальные национальные праздники, остальные определяются по лунному календарю.

3 января — день рождения пророка Мухаммеда
4 января — Дуруту Поя (Дуруту Перахера), первый визит Будды в Шри-Ланку
15 января — Тай Понгал, праздник урожая у тамилов-индуистов
3 февраля — Навам Поя (Навам Перахера), первое собрание Буддийской общины
4 февраля — День независимости Шри-Ланки
17 февраля — Маха Шиварати, Великая ночь Шивы
5 марта — Медин Поя, посещение Буддой своего отца
3 апреля — Страстная пятница
3 апреля — Бак Поя, второй визит Будды в Шри-Ланку    
12-13 апреля — Шри-ланкийский Новый год (Алут Авуруду)
1 мая – Международный день труда
3 — 4 мая — Весак Поя, уход в нирвану Будды
2 июня — Посон Поя (Poson Poya), праздник полнолуния. Торжества по случаю уникального события тысячелетней давности, провозгласившего буддизм главной верой, проходят по всей стране! Основные события разворачиваются в Анурадхапуре и Михинтале. Празднично украшенные храмы заполнены верующими, которые проводят  это священное время в молитвах и медитации, погружаясь в себя под торжественные проповеди монахов-буддистов. Центром притяжения является в это время гора Михинтале, куда поднимаются многочисленные паломники в праздничных белых одеждах.
1 июля — Ади Эсала Поя
18 июля — окончание поста Рамадана
31 июля — Эсала Перахера
29 августа — Никини Поя
23 сентября — Хадж-фестиваль, праздник жертвоприношения
27 сентября — Бинара Поя
27 октября — Вап Поя
11 ноября — Дипавали, индуисткий фестиваль огней
25 ноября — Ил Поя
24 декабря — Ундувап Поя
25 декабря — Рождество Христово

Шри-Ланка является одним из лидеров по числу официальных праздничных выходных в мире. На острове очень много красочных религиозных праздников. Самый грандиозный – Эсала Перахера (Esala Perahera) — проходит в июле/августе. Этот буддийский фестиваль длится около двух недель и посвящён первой проповеди Будды. Связан он со священным деревом Эсала, которое на время праздника становится символом поклонения. Сейчас в качестве священного дерева Эсала символически используют дерево Джек. В первый день новолуния выбирается капурал – самое важное лицо предстоящей процессии, который срезает ствол священного дерева и делит его на 4 части в честь богов Натхе, Вишну, Сканде и богини Паттинн. Первые дни фестиваля празднуют внутри храмов и на 6-й день процессии выходят на улицы. Начинается Первая Перахера, которая длится 5 дней и называется Кумбал Перахера. Настоятель храма Далада Малигава надевает белые одежды и участвует в ритуальных службах и процессиях. Затем наступает Вторая Рандоли Перахера, которая также длится 5 ночей. На десятую, завершающую, ночь происходит кульминация — Маха Перахера — ежегодный вынос из храма Священного Зуба Будды. По легенде, Зуб Будды был выхвачен из погребального костра одним из его учеников, и долгие годы монахи берегли эту реликвию в Индии. На Цейлон Зуб привезла в своей пышной причёске индийская принцесса, спасая реликвию от захватчиков в 371 году. Зуб стал символом королевской власти и обрёл своё пристанище сначала в Анурадхапуре, затем в Полоннаруве, а затем был переправлен в Канди, где специально для его хранения и был построен храм Далада Малигава. На данный момент это главная святыня для буддистов, единственное материальное подтверждение существования Будды. Считается, что с потерей Зуба придёт конец буддизму. Только раз в год она выносится из храма, чтобы многочисленные паломники могли хотя бы мысленно прикоснуться к святыне. Зуб скрыт от глаз в 7-ми золотых ларцах, вложенных один в другой, наподобие нашей матрёшки — видеть святыню могут только посвящённые, считается большой удачей увидеть даже хранилище — карандуву. Многочисленные паломники со всего мира, монахи и погонщики слонов стекаются к завершающему дню в город Канди, по улицам которого проходит главное шествие. Зрелище поистине потрясающее! Весь город заранее украшается разноцветными лампочками и флагами. С появлением луны со стороны храма Малигава раздаётся пушечный выстрел и начинается факельное шествие в стороны реки Махавели. Яркая процессия из карликов, факиров, жонглёров на высоких ходулях, знаменосцев, барабанщиков, танцоров и слонов движется по улицам. В центре процессии 3 слона, одетые в блестящие попоны и украшенные иллюминацией. Зуб Будды лежит под золотым балдахином на самом крупном из них. Причём слон, который несёт реликвию, тоже считается священным. Вокруг царит атмосфера настоящего праздника — народ танцует и запускает в небо фейерверки. Продажа алкоголя в дни фестиваля строжайше запрещена по всей стране.

🕒 20 Ноября, 2022