Kingsley T. Wickramaratne's funeral on Sunday

The cremation of former Minister and Southern Province Governor Kingsley T. Wickramaratne will be held at the Borella Cemetery on Sunday at 4 pm, the funeral committee announced yesterday.

Wickramaratne died at a private hospital in Colombo on Wednesday aged 75, a media release by the Construction and Engineering Services Ministry said.

A past pupil of Colombo Wesley College and a father of three daughters, Wickramaratne started his political career joining the SLFP in 1974.

Appointed SLFP Organiser for Kaduwela, he unsuccessfully contested the 1977 General Election.

In 1978, he was appointed as a party Assistant Secretary and later Central Committee Member in 1981 and Treasurer in 1983.

He contested and won the 1989 General Election and functioned as an opposition MP. He also contested and won the 1994 General Election and appointed Trade, Commerce and Food Minister in the People's Alliance Government. After functioning as a Senior Advisor to the President, he was appointed Governor of the Southern Province in 2001 and functioned in this capacity until his retirement in 2007.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva said people in the South are saddened by the demise of former Southern Province Governor Kingsley T. Wickremaratne. "We cannot forget his indefatigable efforts at rehabilitating the lives of our people after the tsunami tragedy. As Trade Minister he rendered an enormous service to the country in revitalising the CWE to compete successfully with private traders and issuing job security of the employees as well," de Silva said in a condolence message.

He added: "A talented businessman, he did his utmost to promote the Southern tourist industry during his tenure as Governor.

May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana!"