Veteran politician and one time General Secretary of the United National Party Jinadasa Niyathapala passed away at the Colombo National Hospital yesterday after a brief illness. He was 89. Having completed his education at Thurstan College, Colombo, Niyathapala ventured into journalism as a freelance writer. He rose to the top rung of his career by becoming the founder and Editor in Chief of Siyarata, Dinapatha, Yukthiya and Dasadesa newspaper publications.
He entered politics by joining the United National Party’s Youth Movement in 1946 and later became its Deputy Chairman.
In 1958, Jinadasa Niyathapala was appointed to the UNP Working Committee by former Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake becoming the youngest member of the committee at 29 years. The same year he was also assigned as the UNP’s Chief Organiser of the Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte seat.
Niyathapala was appointed General Secretary of the Party by former President J.R. Jayewardene in 1973.
Niyathapala was also elected to Parliament in 1960. Niyathapala has also held the post of Opposition Leader of the Sri Jayawardenapura Muncipal Council.
His remains lie at his residence No.10, Mahasen Mawatha, Nawala, Nugegoda. Funeral takes place on February 1 at 5 at the Nawala General Cemetery.
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