Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera passed away this morning (02), family sources said.
A strong member of the 1971 rebellion led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, he was the 25th accused in the capital case.
Representing Parliament on several occasions, he held several ministerial portfolios including Posts and Telecommunications, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Forestry and Environment.
He had been ill for a long time after being injured in a bomb attack by the LTTE in Godapitiya, Akuressa, and had withdrawn from active politics. He was 83 years old at the time of his death and was the father of former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.