Upatissa Gamanayake

Career

Not a prominent figure during the JVP’s 1971 insurrection, Gamanayake emerged as a leader only after the releasing of the JVP detainees in 1977. Gamanayake was captured and killed by the government forces in November 1989.

Achievements

• He moved up rapidly in the party hierarchy during the JVP’s 1977-1983 democratic phase and became the second in command after the founder and the leader, Rohana Wijeweera.He unsuccessfully contested the 1983 Anamaduwa by-election under JVP.