UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena has passed away at a hospital in Singapore early this morning, a Family member and UNP sources told Ada Derana. He has passed away following a surgery at a private hospital in Singapore, Hospital sources said.

UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardena who has a history of heart ailments was admitted to the ICU of the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital on November 8, 2012 after suffering a heart attack. Jayawardena was earlier rushed to the East Surrey Hospital after being found unconscious at Gatwick Airport in London on April 13, 2012.

Doctors recommended a heart surgery for Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena following the incident while being treated at a hospital in London.

Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana was born in 1953 and obtained his MBBS Medical Degree from the Medical Faculty of the University of Colombo.  He has also obtained several Postgraduate degrees from the USA, Russia, etc.,  He has been the Personal Medical Doctor to the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa and to his family.

Dr Jayalath Jayawardana had shown a keen interest in social service since his young days and has been a volunteer of the Sri Lanka Red Cross and several Non-Governmental Organizations during his University days.

He was elected to Parliament in 1994 and has been serving as a Parliamentarian for the last 15 years.

He was the Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement & Refugees from 2002 to 2004.