Dec 03, Colombo: Opposition leader of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and former United National Party (UNP) Minister Mohamed Maharoof has passed away at a private hospital in Colombo this morning.

The ruling party member of the CMC had suffered a heart attack this morning and died after he was admitted to a private hospital, local media reported.

Maharoof joined the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) last year ahead of the election for the CMC. He was a former United National Party (UNP) stalwart and vied for the mayoral candidacy of the CMC under UNP ticket. He joined the government ranks as he lost hopes and contested under the leadership of UPFA mayoral candidate Milinda Moragoda.

He became the opposition leader of the Council when Moragoda stepped down from his post.