Former Sri Lankan diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala, aged 85, passed away while receiving treatment at the Kandy General Hospital.
The news was confirmed by the Kandy Hospital Director, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a distinguished statesman and diplomat.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dhanapala held several high-ranking positions, leaving an indelible mark on Sri Lankan diplomacy. Notably, he served as the Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs at the United Nations from 1998 to 2003, where he played a pivotal role in shaping disarmament policies and initiatives on a global scale.
Dhanapala’s diplomatic prowess earned him widespread recognition and accolades. In 2007, he was appointed as the Secretary-General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) in Sri Lanka, where he actively worked towards finding a peaceful resolution to the longstanding civil conflict in the country.
Dhanapala also served as a member of the Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka from 2018-2020