Former Sri Lankan Minister Lakshman Jayakody passes away

Former Cabinet Minister Lakshman passed away this evening at the Colombo National Hospital after a brief illness, hospital sources said.

Jayakody, a senior member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and an adviser to the current President, was the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs in the Sri Lankan Cabinet from 1994-2000. He was the Deputy Minister of Defence in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government during 1970 to 1977.

Funeral arrangements will be notified later.