Former Mayor of the Hambantota Municipal Council, Eraj Ravindra Fernando, has been found dead at an apartment in the Bambalapitiya area today (September 2), police reported.
The former Mayor was 57 years old at the time of his passing.
Police stated that special investigations are currently underway to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
Political Background
A past pupil of Nalanda College, Colombo, Fernando was elected as the Mayor of Hambantota representing the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in 2014.
He was re-elected to the post in 2018 with the support of members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
He subsequently resigned from his post as Mayor of Hambantota in February 2022 citing personal reasons.
"Toy Pistol" Incident
Fernando gained widespread national attention in 2014 following an incident where he chased and threatened a group of United National Party (UNP) Members of Parliament who were visiting the Mattala Airport and Hambantota Port.
The firearm held in his hand during the incident caused significant controversy, which he later claimed was merely a "toy pistol."
Following a judicial trial regarding the incident, the Hambantota High Court sentenced him to five years of rigorous imprisonment in 2019.
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