Sri Lanka, April 3 -- Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera, a prominent politician passed away yesterday. He was 83 years.

Wijesekera was the father of former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera. He was the husband of the late Ajantha Wijesekera, former President of the Sri Lanka Netball Association. He leaves four children: Kanchana, Heshanie, Mahen and Chethaka Wijesekera.Wijesekera received his primary education at Devinuwara Maha Vidyalaya. In 1967, he entered the then Vidyodaya University for higher studies, where he became a prominent student leader in the Ceylon National Students' Union affiliated with the Communist Party. He later served as the President of the Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF). In 1971, he held the presidency ...