Reggie Ranatunga passes away

Reggie Ranatunga, veteran Sri Lankan politician and father of world cup winning cricket team captain Arjuna Ranatunga, died in Colombo this morning following a pro-longed illness.

Reggie Ranatunga, who was in his seventies, died at a private hospital in Colombo. He was ailing for some time.

The septuagenarian leader was sworn in as a parliament member for the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance to fill the seat left vacant by death of fellow parliamentarian Sripathy Sooriyarachchi.

Earlier, he served as the governor of Sabaragamuwa Province in South-western Sri Lanka.

His son Arjuna Ranatunga guided the island's cricket team to a world cup win in 1996 and is currently holding the post of Chairman of Sri Lankan Cricket.