Ms. Nalini Wickremesinghe, mother of the Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe, expired yesterday (5th) evening say reports.

The last rights will be conducted as had been requested by Ms. Wickremesinghe at Kanaththa Cemetery at Borella today evening at 6.30 p.m. She was 95 years old at the time of her death.

She was the daughter of Mr. D.R. Wijewardene a renowned newspaper editor and considered as the founder of Lake House. She married Esmund Wickremesinghe, another renowned media person and had four sons including Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Nalini Wickremesinghe’s husband Mr.Esmond
Wickremesinghe was an eminent press magnate and one time President of the
International Press Institute and the winner of the Golden Pen of Freedom – the annual
award to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the defence of press
freedom.Nalini Wickremesinghe is associated with promoting the Arts in the island.
She is the daughter of D R Wijewardene – one of the country’s famed freedom fighters
and the press baron who founded Sri Lanka’s largest publishing house Associated
Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. His paternal grandfather C L Wickremesinghe was a highly
respected, top-ranking, government official who left an indelible mark in the country’s
administrative service during the colonial years.