[ad#200×200]Former President D. B. Wijetunga passed away this morning at the Kandy General Hospital, family members told Daily Mirror. Born on February 15, 1922 he was the President of Sri Lanka from May 1, 1993 to November 12, 1994. Before that he served as Prime Minister from March 3, 1989 to May 7, 1993 and the Governor of North Western province from 1988 to 1989.
Wijetunga, who was the Prime Minister under President R. Premadasa, became President of Sri Lanka following the assassination of President Premadasa by an LTTE on May 01, 1993. Wijetunga held the post until November 12, 1994.
Dingiri Banda Wijetunga was born on February 15, 1922 and entered the Parliament for the first time from Udunuwara electorate at the 1965 general election. He lost the Udunuwara electorate in 1970 but returned to the Parliament in 1977. Since then he held a number of portfolios including Information and Broadcasting, Posts and Telecommunication, Power, Highways and Agricultural Development.