Sept 14, Colombo: M.I. Anver Ismail, the non-cabinet Sri Lanka Minister of Irrigation passed away today early morning at a Colombo private hospital.

The 40 year old Minister was being treated for a stomach disease. His body was taken to his home town, Samanthurai and was buried there according to Muslim customs.

The Minister first entered into the parliament as a Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (Athavulla Faction ) MP in 2001. He was appointed as a Minister in 2004.