Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passed away at the age of 83 this morning, February 17.

Born in 1941, Perera was educated at Nalanda College in Colombo. He was a politician and a Member of Parliament representing the United National Party (UNP) from Kurunegala electoral district. He was first elected to the Parliament in 1994.

During his political career, Perera has held ministerial portfolios for sustainable development, wildlife, Buddha Sasana, food protection, water management and irrigation.

He was elected as the chairman of ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) in 2016 and served as the chairman of UNP until 2013.

The former minister’s passing comes just 7 days after President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited him at his home in Katugampala, and engaged in a brief conversation with him to check up on his well-being.