Prof Leslie Gunawardena bids adieu

Asela KURULUWANSA

The funeral of Prof Leslie Gunawardena, renowned historian, Former Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University and former Science and Technology Minister, was held at the Mahaiyawa cemetery yesterday.

His remains were brought from his residence at Heeressagala to the senate building of the University of Peradeniya in the evening to be kept for the public to pay last respect as an honour for the service he rendered to the University community.

Gunawardena was born in Tholangamuwa and completed primary education at the Tholangamuwa Central College. He graduated in history from the University of Peradeniya. In 1961 he completed his Phd from the University of London with colours. Then he joined the University of Peradeniya as a lecturer. Later he became the Dean of the Arts Faculty. Prof Gunawardena was the Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University from 1996 to 1999. He was an active member of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) from 1960.