Sri Lanka, Feb. 13 -- Veteran politician and former Minister Professor Tissa Vitharana has passed away at the age of 91, according to family members.

He reportedly passed away this morning at his residence in Kotte following a prolonged illness.

During his long and distinguished public career, Professor Vitharana served the nation in several key capacities, including as a Member of Parliament, a Cabinet Minister, and a Provincial Governor.

He was the leader of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and served as Governor of the North Central Province from 2019 to 2020.

He entered active politics with the LSSP in 1974. Following the 2004 parliamentary election, Vitharana was appointed as a UPFA National List MP in the Sri Lankan Parliament...