(MENAFN - Colombo Gazette)
Former Speaker W.J.M Lokubandara passed away at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Angoda today while being treated for COVID-19. He was 81 years old at the time of his death.
Lokubandara had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
He was Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 2004 to 2010 and Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province from 2010 to 2015.
Lokubandara was appointed Minister of Cultural Affairs, Education and Media by President Ranasinghe Premadasa.
With the defeat of the UNP in the General Elections of 1994, Lokubandara became the Chief Opposition Whip of Parliament. He held this position until 2001. A UNP Government was formed in 2001, and Lokubandara was appointed the Minister of Justice, Law Reforms, National Integration and Buddha Sasana.