Former SLFP MP for Naththandiya expires

Prasad Poornimal, Puttalam Group Correspondent

W. Protus Tissera (83), former SLFP MP for Naththandiaya expired yesterday morning.

He was a member of the United Front Government of late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranailke from 1970 to 1977. He is the father of Dayashritha Tissera, Minister of Skill Development.

Tissera won the 1970 General Election defeating Hugh Fernando, the former Commerce and Trade Minister of the Dudley Senanayake Government contesting on the SLFP ticket.

Although he contested on the SLFP ticket in both July 1960 and 1965 March, General Elections he was unsuccessful. He contested the 1968 by-election to fill the vacancy created by the death of Speaker Sir Albert F. Peiris, however was defeated by Hugh Fernando.

Tissera had his early education at the Roman Catholic School at Katuneriya, and continued his studies attending Blessed Joseph Vaz Vidyalaya, Wennappuwa, St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa and St. Mary's College, Chilaw.

Before entering Parliament he served as a member of the Kammalpattu Village Committee.

The funeral will take place on October 17 at 4.00 pm at the family burial grounds. The body lies at "Kusum Siri" Dematapitiya, Katuneriya.