Lokugamage Gayantha Ganadesha Karunatileka, MP (born 21 August 1962) is a Sri Lankan politician. He is the current Chief Opposition Whip of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He formerly served as a Cabinet Minister of Lands and Parliament affairs and Chief Government Whip. A former member of the United National Party (UNP), he served as the UNP Media Secretary and acted as the cabinet spokesman of the government.[1]
Gayantha Karunathilaka | |
|---|---|
| ගයන්ත කරුණාතිලක கயந்த கருணாதிலக | |
 | |
| Chief Opposition Whip | |
| Assumed office 3 December 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Lakshman Kiriella |
| In office 3 January 2020 – 3 March 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Mahinda Amaraweera |
| Succeeded by | Lakshman Kiriella |
| Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms | |
| In office 22 May 2017 – 21 November 2019 | |
| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Preceded by | John Amaratunga |
| Succeeded by | S. M. Chandrasena |
| Minister of Media | |
| In office 12 January 2015 – 22 May 2017 | |
| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Preceded by | Keheliya Rambukwella |
| Succeeded by | Mangala Samaraweera |
| Chief Government Whip | |
| In office 20 January 2015 – 3 January 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Dinesh Gunawardena |
| Succeeded by | Johnston Fernando |
| Member of Parliament for Galle District | |
| Assumed office 2000 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 August 1962 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Political party | Samagi Jana Balawegaya (since 2020) United National Party (until 2020) |
| Other political affiliations | United National Front |
| Alma mater | Royal College, Colombo |
| Occupation | Politics |
He was educated at Royal College Colombo.[2] He is the nephew of Rupa Karunathilake.[3]