Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera has passed away at the age of 83 this morning (Feb. 17).
Born in 1941, Perera received his education at Nalanda College in Colombo. A seasoned politician and Member of Parliament representing the United National Party (UNP) from the Kurunegala electoral district, he first entered Parliament in 1994.
Throughout his political tenure, Perera held various ministerial roles, including responsibilities for sustainable development, wildlife, Buddha Sasana, food protection, water management, and irrigation.
In 2016, he was elected as the chairman of ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) and served as the chairman of UNP until 2013.
