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Home , Harsha de Silva, Karu Jayasuriya, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Mangala Samaraweera, Ranil Wickremesinghe

DN page 34 TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019

for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is 2015 handed over to President . January 9 September 25 Following a competitive victory, Maithripala Sirisena commences his President Maithripala Sirisena addresses the 73rd Session of the presidency. President Maithripala Sirisena swears in the Leader of the FORTH TO THE General Assembly in New York. The theme of the UNGA (UNP) as Prime Minister. Session is ‘Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sus-

March 3 tainable Societies’. Northern Province Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran welcomes Presi- dent Maithripala Sirisena in Jaffna on his first visit to the North after assuming office. April 28 A vast majority in Parliament passes the 19th Amendment to the Constitution with the government gaining 212 votes in favour. May 2 FOURTH ANUARY 8 INDISPUTABLY BELONGS TO MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA WHO EMERGED VICTORIOUS AS ’S PRESIDENT-ELECT FOUR YEARS AGO. PRESIDENT MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA WILL BE ETCHED IN THE ANNALS OF SRI LANKA FOR HIS SINGLEHANDED EFFORT TO KEEP TO HIS PRE- The US President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump joins President Maithripala Sirisena and First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena at a ELECTION PROMISE – ABOLISHING EXECUTIVE PRESIDENCY – TO A CERTAIN EXTENT BY reception on the occasion of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly JCHAMPIONING THE HISTORIC 19TH AMENDMENT. PLUS, A LOT MORE CAME TO PASS DURING at the Lotte New York Palace in New York. September 29 THE SIRISENA PRESIDENCY. THIS TIMELINE TAKES A CURSORY GLANCE AT WHAT HAPPENED FROM THAT The Government announces several temporary measures to be DAY FORTH TO TODAY’S FOURTH YEAR MILESTONE. implemented to ease the pressure on the . October 8 Prime Minister Ranil May 25 and deputy ministerial portfolios held by the UNP. Wickremesinghe visits March 2 the University of Oxford Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participates in the ‘Invest Sri at an invitation to deliver a special speech The US Secretary of State meets President Maithripala Lanka’ investment forum held in Singapore. March 8 to the . Sirisena at in . October 12 August 17 Public Administration and Management Minister Ranjith Madduma Sri Lanka goes to a parliamentary election, ten months ahead of Bandara receives his appointment letter as Law and Order Minister from schedule, to elect 225 members to the country’s 15th Parliament. The President Maithripala Sirisena. UNP-led United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) wins 106 March 9 seats. The main opposition United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe meets the United Nations secures 95 seats. The (TNA), the largest party Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey D. Feltman at Tem- President Maithripala Sirisena and Australian Prime Minister Mal- ples Trees. representing Sri Lankan , wins 16 seats. Janatha Vimukthi Pera- colm Turnbull enter into the Joint Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation muna, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and People’s Democratic Party between Australia and Sri Lanka. The Declaration is signed by Australi- March 31 win the remaining eight parties. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, an Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Affairs President Maithripala Sirisena and Health, Nutrition and Indigenous leader of the UNFGG and UNP, forms a national government with the Minister Dr . Medicine Minister Dr attend the First SAARC Annual support of UPFA MPs loyal to President Maithripala Sirisena. July 29 Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases held in Colombo. August 21 The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Merchant Port Hold- April 4 The UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe takes oaths as the Prime Min- ings sign the amended agreement on the Port in Colombo. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe defeats the No Confidence ister of Sri Lanka before President Maithripala Sirisena. Motion brought against him by the -led group. August 15 September 2 April 7 Senior Supreme Court Justice takes oaths as the 46th President Maithripala Sirisena presides over the first sitting of the The 70th World Health Day of the World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Justice before President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s eighth . is celebrated under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and Official Residence. September 5 Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in October 18 President Maithripala Sirisena swears in 42 new Cabinet Ministers. Colombo. Sri Lanka’s much-talked-about Fuel Pricing Formula is revealed in October 30 May 2 detail to the media by Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Speaker signs the first six amendment bills passed in President Maithripala Sirisena swears in eight State Ministers and 10 Samaraweera, at a press conference in Colombo today. the eighth Parliament of Sri Lanka. Deputy Ministers. October 19 December 29 May 8 For the first time in the post-independence , President Maithripala Sirisena presides at the Ceremonial Sitting of Tamil parties and Tamil civil society groups gear up for participation in President Maithripala Sirisena swears in Development Assignments Parliament for the opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parlia- the making a new constitution for nation. Minister as the new Foreign Affairs Minister. ment of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. August 17 May 13 2016 The naming of the Karadiyana Waste Management Project as the President Maithripala Sirisena meets with Supreme Leader of Iran Mihisaru Viyamana Resources Management Centre, to streamline the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Teheran. February 6 solid waste management in the Colombo district and laying the foun-

The UN High Commissioner for dation stone for the project, aimed at generating electricity from gar- May 18 Chief of Staff of Indian Army, General Bipin Rawat, calls on President Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hus- bage in the Western province, is held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s official residence in Colombo. sein, arrives in Sri Lanka for a Maithripala Sirisena. four-day official visit, at the invi- August 28 May 30 tation of the Government. During Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe meets with a US Congress del- President Maithripala Sirisena takes part in the ceremony organized his visit, the High Commissioner egation from the House Armed Services Committee at . The for the placing of the foundation stone the proposed Amaradeva The Indian Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi calls on Sri Lankan discusses a range of current chal- delegation comprises Chairman of the House Armed Services Commit- Asapuwa, a music ashram in memory of late outstanding musician Pan- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in . The United Progres- lenges and opportunities for tee, Mac Thornberry, Henry Cuellar, Vickie Hartzler and Carol Shea-Por- dit Dr W. D. Amaradeva at ‘Ape Gama’ complex, Battaramulla. sive Alliance Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, is also present in the meeting, strengthening the rule of law and ter. along with former Indian Prime Minister Dr and sen- August 29 protection of human rights in Sri ior Congress party leader Anand Sharma. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Housing & June 29 Lanka. Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Construction hand over housing loans under the October 26 June 16 General Zubair Mahmood Hayat calls on President Maithripala Sirisena revived ‘Village Reawakening’ programme. Parliament passes the Right to Information (RTI) bill with amend- at President’s Residence in . ments. The Bill provides with Right of Access to Information, to specify August 31 The price of a 12.5 kg domestic LP gas cylinder is reduced by Rs 138 grounds on which access may be denied, to establish the Right to Infor- Speaker Karu Jayasuriya places his signature to the Local Govern- from midnight. ment Election (Amendment) Act in Parliament. mation Commission, to appoint Information Officers and to set out the July 5 procedure and for matters connected with it. September 30 Parliament passes the National Audit Bill with amendments. This Bill June 18 Sri Lanka refrains from signing the landmark UN Treaty on the Prohi- provides for the powers, duties and functions of the Audit Service Com- Indian Prime Minister and Sri Lankan President bition of Nuclear Weapons that was adopted by 122 countries on July 7, mission and the establishment of the office of the National Audit Office Maithripala Sirisena inaugurate the state-of-the-art Duraiappah stadi- 2017, and opened for signature on September 20 at the UN headquar- and the Sri Lanka State Audit Service. It also specifies the role of the um, renovated with ’s assistance, in Jaffna. The Indian Premier par- ters in New York. Auditor General over public finance. ticipates in the event through video conferencing. The stadium is named November 2 July 15 after former mayor of Jaffna late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Ranil Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participates in the inaugura- July 25 Wickremesinghe witness the signing of a bilateral Trade and Invest- tion ceremony to launch the Gamperaliya massive development pro- The President enshrines treasures at the Moragahakanda Reservoir ment Framework Agreement at the Temple Trees. gramme near the Madatta Tank Bund in Nikaweratiya. Finance Minister Project. December 31 states that the Treasury has allocated Rs 80,000 July 28 President Maithripala Sirisena states that he has advised - million for this programme, under which projects will be completed in Former President Mahinda takes oaths before President The launch of the emergency ambulance service is implemented al treasury to release Rs.250 million to supply the agricultural commu- the following five months. Maithripala Sirisena as the 13th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. through Indian grant assistance of around US$ 7.55 million, covering nity with proper fertilizer. July 18 October 29 the Western and Southern Provinces. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesin- President Maithripala Sirisena is on a three-day visit to Georgia to President Maithripala Sirisena swears in the new members of his ghe, Health Minister Rajitha Senarathne, Indian High Commissioner Y.K. 2018 participate in the Open Govt Partnership Global Summit in Georgia. He cabinet. Sinha and Deputy Foreign Minister, Harsha de Silva attend the event at January 8 meets with the President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili in Tbilisi to November 9 the Face Green in Colombo. discuss bilateral relations. President Maithripala Sirisena issues a gazette dissolving Parliament July 23 and calling for fresh elections. 2017 November 30 January 8 President Maithripala Sirisena opens the sluice gates of the Moraga- hakanda- reservoir. Fulfilling a long felt need of the people in the dry-zone, the giant Moragahakanda Reservoir, a multipurpose development project under December 12 the Moragahakanda - Kaluganga Reservoir Development Project was The Parliament passes the Vote of Confidence to prove UNP leader commissioned under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena Ranil Wickremesinghe commands the confidence of Parliament to func- and with the participation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, tion as Prime Minister. The motion is passed by 117 votes. All UNF MPs amidst the blessings and the chanting of Seth Pirith of the Maha Sang- vote in favour of the motion. ha. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremes- December 13 inghe declare open the flyover, constructed to provide long- President Maithripala Sirisena participates in the water filling cere- The seven-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court states that President’s January 11 mony of Kalu Ganga under the Moragahakanda- Kalu Ganga Multi-pur- term solutions for the heavy traffic congestion in the area. Gazette notification dissolving Parliament is not in accordance with the President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurates the filling of water to the pose Development Project and the commencement of the construction Moragahakanda reservoir, the biggest multi-functional irrigation pro- January 23 Constitution. Singaporean of the second stage of the Upper Elahera Canal, Kaluganga-Moragaha- ject. The farmers in Rajarata warmly receive the President when he kanda Transfer Canal/Tunnel, which is the longest tunnel in . December 15 arrives at the venue after releasing the water to the Moragahakanda Prime Minister Lee reservoir. Hsien Loong July 31 receives a tradi- The prices of another 15 varieties of expensive drugs and 10 cancer March 4 drugs are reduced. President Maithripala Sirisena declares open a ‘Tell the President’ tional Sri Lankan Office in Jaffna. Complaints, suggestions and grievances can be directly welcome on his August 1 submitted to the President by visiting http://tell.president.gov.lk/ three-day visit. Forty-seven projects out of 180 development projects completed The governments under the ‘Pibidemu Polonnaruwa’ (Awakening of Polonnaruwa) District March 23 of Sri Lanka and Development Programme are vested in the public under the patronage President Maithripala Sirisena, the first Sri Lankan leader to visit Rus- Singapore sign a of President Maithripala Sirisena. sia in 43 years, meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Free Trade Agree- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif calls on Sri April 16 ment (FTA) following the bilateral discussions held between visiting Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrives at Vietnam Prime Minister of Singapore and President Maithripala August 21 International airport on an official visit. Sirisena. Japanese Minister of Defence Itsunori Onodera meets with President April 26 February 1 Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat. This is the first time India and Sri Lanka sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on The Earl and Countess that a Japanese Defence Minister is visiting the country. cooperation in economic projects following talks between Prime Minis- of Wessex arrive in Sri August 27 ter Narendra Modi and his visiting Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wick- Lanka to represent Her Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visits Vietnam to attend the remesinghe in New Delhi. Majesty The Queen at third Indian Ocean Conference. Prior to the conference, the Prime Minis- the 70th anniversary cel- ter was engaged in discussions with Bangladeshi Planning Minister Former President signed the document stepping Apri 30 ebration of Sri Lanka’s A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign down as Prime Minister. President Maithripala Sirisena takes necessary measures to suspend Independence. Minister Pham Binh Minh and Indian Foreign Minister Srimathi Sushma the purchase of vehicles for all ministers and MPs until the end of the December 16 Swaraj to fortify Sri Lankan ties with the said countries. year. February 10 For the fifth time, the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe takes oaths Sri Lanka holds local elections to elect 8327 members to 340 local August 29 as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka before President Maithripala Sirisena May 11 at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. Indian Prime authorities (24 municipal councils, 41 urban councils and 275 divisional President Maithripala Sirisena leaves for to attend the fourth Minister Narendra councils). Dubbed as the largest election, this is also the first election Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and December 18 Modi arrives in Sri under the mixed electoral system where 60% of members are elected Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Speaker Karu Jayasuriya declares that Mahinda Rajapaksa had been Lanka to attend the using first-past-the-post voting and the remaining 40% through closed appointed as Leader of the Opposition with the UPFA joining the oppo- list proportional representation. August 31 sition benches in parliament. International Vesak The government decides to increase the quantity of paddy purchased

Day celebrations in February 25 from each farmer from 2000 kg to 3000 kg. December 20 President Maithripala Sirisena swears in the incumbent cabinet. Colombo. A Cabinet reshuffle takes place with changes to several Cabinet, state The Chairmanship of the fifth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative