May 31, Colombo: Reggie Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's ruling party MP for Gampaha District and the father of World Cup winning cricket legend Arjuna Ranatunga, passed away today at a private hospital in Colombo. He was 71.

Reggie Ranatunga was a former Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province and a key Minister in President Chandrika Kumaratunge 's administration.

He entered the parliament again following the death of former UPFA MP Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi who was killed in a road accident in February 2008.