Online edition of Sunday Observer

The ongoing peace process proceeded smoothly without much problems despite the President’s takeover of three important portfolios of Defence, Media and Interior Affairs, the temporary suspension of their mediation by the Norwegian facilitators and sporadic outbursts of violence especially in the east. It was also a year hampered by natural disasters. Sri Lanka faced the worst floods in 50 years, which with subsequent earth slips left hundreds dead and thousands homeless.A year of achievement for many a Sri Lankan, mainly in the fields of art, sports and law, it also saw the passing away of two colossal religious leaders who commanded immense popularity.


President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s takeover of the portfolios of Defence, Media and Interior Affairs created considerable anxiety in the UNF government led by Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe that peace negotiations would be affected. This was however, not to be and the ceasefire remains in place with both parties keeping the peace.


An outspoken campaigner of Buddhist values, Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera passed away in Russia after a heart attack.	A much respected and erudite monk of the country, Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera passed away.


Justice Shiranee Thilekawardene, became Sri Lanka’s first woman president of the Court of Appeal.	Sprint queen Susanthika Jayasinghe raced to victory in yet another 100 meters sprint at the Asian Athletic Grand Prix 2003, at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Navy disaster relief teams distributing provisions to the marooned residents in the flood affected areas. Five districts, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota were badly affected by the floods and earth slips.

A despondent schoolboy seated on the rubble which was his school, destroyed by the floods and the earthslips. A total of 156 schools were destroyed.


Chaminda Vaas created a world record by taking three wickets from the first three deliveries at the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament at Pictermaritzburg Oval.	Veteran singer Gunadasa Kapuge passed away after a fall while disembarking from his flight at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Veteran film director Dr. Lester James Peries at the premier of his film Wekanda Walawwa (Mansion by the Lake) which won the Fellini Gold Medal Award at the 56th Cannes Film Festival. Wekanda Walawwa was the first Sinhala film ever to go on general release in France.

A helping hand from the Air Force at the Colombo South General Hospital. Men and women of the Air Force were called to assist the skeleton staff in a major hospital strike which paralysed the health services.