Former Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera has passed away at the age of 65.
He was pronounced dead today while receiving treatment for COVID-19 at a private hospital in Colombo.
According to hospital sources, the former Minister suffered a cardiac arrest.
Former Minister Samaraweera has been receiving treatment for several days after contracting a severe bout of COVID-19.
A seasoned politician, Mangala Samaraweera first entered Parliament in 1989 and remained a MP until the last Parliament was dissolved.
He has held Ministerial Portfolios under multiple governments including being a Minister of Finance, Foreign, Mass Media and Ports.
He withdrew his candidacy at the last Parliamentary Election despite filing nomination from the Matara District.
The former Minister subsequently announced a sabbatical from active politics.
