Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake passes away

Former Minister Nandana Gunathilake has passed away at the age of 64, while receiving treatment at the Ragama Hospital, according to family sources. 

An early member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Gunathilake had contested the 1999 presidential election as the JVP’s candidate and secured the third highest votes.

While representing the JVP, he later entered Parliament from the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and held the positions of Acting Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and Minister of Tourism.

He then left the JVP and joined the United National Party (UNP) in 2015 and was elected Mayor of the Panadura Urban Council representing that party.

He later joined the New Democratic Front (NDF).