The last rites of the late Minister Mangala Samaraweera will be performed this evening at the Borella cemetery (24). The former minister passed away at a private hospital in Narahenpita this morning and preliminary work on his remains has been completed, hospital sources said.
He had contracted the Covid virus and was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit when he suffered a sudden heart attack, hospital sources said. Mr Samaraweera, who entered politics for the first time representing the Matara District in the 1994 General Elections, held a number of ministerial posts including Finance, Foreign, Posts and Telecommunications and was a controversial figure in Sri Lankan politics.
Mangala Samaraweera was admitted to a private hospital in Colombo on August 13 after being diagnosed with Covid infection and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to complications. He had a heart attack about two days ago while recovering there and passed away this morning.