Rukman Senanayake, grandson of Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, UNP stalwart, and former Cabinet Minister, passed away today at the age of 76, according to family sources.
Senanayake’s passion for politics was sparked at a young age, following the sudden death of his uncle, former Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake. He began his political journey in 1973 by contesting and winning the Dedigama seat. However, he resigned four years later and did not return to Parliament until 1994, representing the Polonnaruwa district for nearly a decade.
In addition to serving as the Cabinet Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, he was appointed Chairman of the United National Party in 2007 and Vice Leader in 2008.
