Sri Lanka, Dec. 31 -- A retired Brigadier, who was also a National People's Power (NPP) candidate for the Rathnapura District, passed away following a head-on collision between a scooter and a private bus in Bandaragama on last night (30).

The victim is identified as 63-year-old H. M. Sarath Wijesena, a father of two from Makumbura, Pannipitiya.

A retired Colonel who was travelling on the same motorcycle sustained serious injuries in the incident.

The two retired officers were travelling along the Bandaragama-Kesbewa road toward Colombo after a business trip to Galle when the crash occurred at the Galkade Junction in Welmilla.

According to police, their scooter collided with a private bus transporting staff members of the Sri Jayeward...