The remains of the veteran left-wing politician were kept at the N. M. Perera Center in Borella today, where a large number of political leaders, party members, civil society representatives and members of the public paid their last respects.
Professor Vitarana passed away yesterday at his residence on the Kotte–Nawala Road following a prolonged illness. He was 92 years old at the time of his death.
A towering figure in the country’s leftist movement and a senior member of the Sri Lanka Sama Samaj Party, he was elected to Parliament on several occasions and held a number of ministerial portfolios during his decades-long political career.
In addition to his political life, Professor Vitarana was a respected scientist and author. He is survived by his three children.
