PM 79 today

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne turns 79 today.

The Prime Minister who was born on June 4, 1931 in a remote village Medapitiya, Doluwa in the Gampola electorate, is one of the senior most politicians in the country.

He entered politics in 1950 and later joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) as its 13th member.

His first entry into Parliament was in 1970 representing the Gampola electorate under the United Front Government led by then Premier Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

His second entry into the country's legislature was in 1989 and in 1994 he was appointed as the General Secretary of the Peoples Alliance.

Prime Minister Jayaratne since then has been a regular Member of Parliament and during his distinguished political career has held various Cabinet portfolios.

He assumed duties in his present capacity as the country's Prime Minister in April 2010.