P.G. Priyantha Sirisena, a younger brother of President Maithripala Sirisena, passed away early this morning following an axe attack on Thursday.

He was attacked with an axe in the back of his head on March 26 evening at around 7pm at Hathare Ela, Polonnaruwa. He was airlifted to Colombo the same night.

Born on December 12, 1972, Priyantha Sirisena was also known as ‘Weli Raju’, and was a well known businessman who was engaged in sand mining. He was the owner of Rajarata Builders Pvt. Ltd and Rajarata Sahal Pvt. Ltd.

Saputhanthrige Don Nishan Lakmal Saputhanthri (34), the suspect who assaulted Priyantha Sirisena, was remanded last evening by Polonnaruwa Magistrate till April 8. During interrogations, the suspect revealed that the crime was committed in retribution as Priyantha Sirisena had yelled at his parents using foul language.

Priyantha Sirisena’s funeral will be held on Monday, March 30, at 3.00pm at the Polonnaruwa General Cemetery.

Priyantha Sirisena, a father of three, was 43 years old at the time of his untimely death. He was a past pupil of Laksha Uyana Primary School, Udupila Maha Vidyalaya, Galahitiyawa Central College and Thopawewa Maha Vidyalaya.