Former Sri Lankan prime minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake passes away

27 December, Colombo

Former Sri Lankan prime minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake died Tuesday at the age of 83.

He was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital last week. Wickremanayake had served as prime minister during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s term as president from 2005 to 2010.

He had earlier held the post from August 2000 to December 2001. He was a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party for more than 60 years.

A number of Sri Lankan leaders including President Maithripala Sirisena and Rajapaksa condoled his demise.