Senior journalist Bandula Padmakumara has passed away.

Padmakumara, who suffered from a prolonged illness, was 71 years old at the time of his death.

Mulpituwa - a TV newspaper programme he hosted for many years became very popular among television viewers in Sri Lanka.

He has held a number of positions in the media industry, including the chairmanship of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL).