Former Minister and MP Indika Gunawardena has passed away at the age of 72.

He was the former Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Higher Education and a People's Alliance Member of Parliament.

Indika Gunawardena was the eldest son of Philip Gunawardena, a key member of the early left-wing politics in Sri Lanka. He was also the eldest brother of Dinesh Gunawardena.

He was a member of the Communist Party and was elected to Parliament under the People's Alliance ticket in 1994.