Former Government Minister Tissa Vitharana Passes Away

Veteran politician and former Minister, Professor Tissa Vitharana, has passed away at the age of 91, family members confirmed. He died peacefully at his residence in Kotte this morning after a prolonged illness.

Professor Vitharana had a long and distinguished career in public service, holding key positions including Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister, and Provincial Governor. He led the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and served as Governor of the North Central Province from 2019 to 2020.

He began his active political journey with the LSSP in 1974. Following the 2004 parliamentary election, he was appointed as a UPFA National List MP and subsequently served as Minister of Science and Technology. After the 2010 parliamentary elections, he was re-appointed as a National List MP, and later became Minister of Technology and Research in May 2010, before being promoted to Senior Minister of Scientific Affairs in November that year.

Professor Vitharana lost his cabinet position following the 2015 presidential election. Although he was included on the UPFA’s National List in the 2015 parliamentary election, he was not appointed. In recognition of his significant contributions to science and technology, he was awarded the prestigious Vidya Jyothi title in 2017.

On 4 December 2019, he was appointed Governor of the North Central Province and was sworn in by then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Professor Vitharana’s lifelong dedication to public service and scientific advancement leaves a lasting legacy in Sri Lanka’s political and academic spheres.