November 16, Colombo (LNW): Governor of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province Bandula Harischandra has died unexpectedly at the age of 62, according to official sources.
He is said to have fallen critically ill and passed away while undergoing treatment at Colombo National Hospital late last night, despite efforts by medical staff to stabilise his condition.
Harischandra was widely regarded as a seasoned public servant, having spent more than three decades in government administration. A former pupil of Sri Palee College in Horana, he later read for his degree at the University of Kelaniya before embarking on a long career in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service.
Beginning his service in 1991 as Assistant District Commissioner of Elections in Ampara, he went on to hold a succession of posts, including a similar role in Galle. His administrative journey took him through several key appointments in the Galle District, among them Divisional Secretary of Galle Four Gravets, Additional District Secretary, and eventually Acting District Secretary.
His leadership experience later broadened with appointments as District Secretary for Ratnapura and subsequently Hambantota. Harischandra also occupied senior posts at the national level, including Secretary to the Ministry of Social Empowerment, Welfare and Kandyan Heritage, Secretary to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Additional Controller General at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
