Former Deputy MinisterSarath Kumara Gunaratna has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department for alleged misappropriation of funds of the Negombo lagoon development project.[2]
Jaliya Wickramasuriya, who was the Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, arrested on charges of misusing state funds.[3]
5 January − Mudiyanselage Suranga Kumara alias ‘Rattaran’, an underworld gang, has been shot and killed by two unknown gunmen.[4]
7 January − 21 persons including 3 police officers were injured and hospitalized as a result of the clashes which broke out during the protest in Hambantota.[5] Meanwhile, 52 individuals were arrested on charges of violating court orders and damaging public property.[6] On next day, 28 more individuals were arrested.[7][8]
10 January
Ravi Karunanayake was named as the Finance Minister of the Year for Asia-Pacific byThe Banker, a magazine of the British daily Financial Times.[9]
ParliamentariaWimal Weerawansa was arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division who was accused of misusing several vehicles belonging to the presidential secretariat.[10]
13 January − Former Sri Lankan district judge Geethani Wijesinghe Widanelage swore as new Resident Magistrate of Fiji.[12]
18 January − Disaster management officials stated that about 600,000 people have been hit by the drought in nearly 13 of the 25 districts, making it the worst drought since 2006.[13]
31 January − Astrologer Vijitha Rohana Wijemuni was arrested by The Criminal Investigations Department for allegedly misleading the public by making false predictions.[14]
5 February − Chamara Sandaruwan alias ‘Kudu Roshan’ was hacked to death by an unidentified group of people inWanathamulla.[15]
10 February − Sri Lanka opened its first hybrid power plant using wind, solar and diesel located on a small island off theJaffna, that generate 60 MW of electricity.[16]
14 February − For significant contributions in reforms in economy, education and human rights in Sri Lanka, Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe conferred an honorary doctorate fromDeakin University in Australia.[17]
21 February
International cricketerNiroshan Dickwella was suspended for two limited-over matches after his accumulated demerit points reached five within a 24-month period.[18]
Ministry of Crab and Nihonbashi ranked 29th & 49th at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ awards ceremony.[19]
International cricketerRangana Herath became the most successful left-arm spinner in test cricket history after reaching 366 wickets surpassing blackcapDaniel Vettori.[24]
22 March − Major GeneralMahesh Senanayake was appointed as the chief of staff of the Sri Lankan Army.[25]
^"The Holidays in 2017"(PDF). Ministry of Public Administration and Management. 26 December 2016. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 29 December 2016. Retrieved29 December 2016.
