Former Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara passed away away last night (14) while being treated for Covid-19 at IDH.

Wijesinghe Jayaweera Mudiyanselage Lokubandara, commonly known as W. J. M. Lokubandara, was the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 2004 to 2010 and Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province from 2010 to 2015. He was a lawyer by profession, and was also an author of several books and a songwriter. Lokubandara held several ministries in the government of Sri Lanka before his appointment as the Speaker of the House.

On April 22, 2004, W.J.M. Lokubandara was elected after a 9-hour controversial secret ballot.

Accordingly, he was the 16th Speaker of Parliament (2004 to 2010).

Lokubandara was born on 5 August 1941 in Haputale

Lokubandara first entered parliament in 1977 representing the United National Party (UNP). He was initially appointed to the non-cabinet post of Minister of Indigenous Medicine. In 1989, Lokubandara was appointed a Cabinet Minister when he was given the Ministries of Cultural Affairs, Education and Media by President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

With the defeat of the UNP in the general elections of 1994, Lokubandara became the Chief Opposition Whip of the parliament. He held this position until 2001. When a UNP government was formed in 2001, Lokubandara was appointed the Cabinet Minister of Justice, Law Reforms, National Integration and Buddha Sasana.

He was 80 years old at the time of his death and was admitted to a private hospital in Colombo and then transferred to the IDH hospital.

Apart from politics, he is also a literary figure, lyricist and poet.

Sigiriya Gee Sara, Rasadeepani, Hon. Speaker - Mathisabe Katha were written by him.

The late W.J.M. Lokubandara is a father of three sons.

His last rites will be performed at the Kotikawatta crematorium today (15) in accordance with quarantine laws.