Amarasinghe Kankanamlage Somawansa (1 January 1943 – 15 June 2016 as Sinhala: සෝමවංශ අමරසිංහ),[1] commonly as Somawansha Amarasinghe, was a Sri Lankan politician, and the 4th leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, after Rohana Wijeweera, Saman Piyasiri Fernando and Lalith Wijerathna and served as its leader for 23 years until February 2, 2014.
[3] Amarasinghe died on 15 June 2016 at the age of 73 at his brothers Piyasena's residence, where he was living after leaving JVP, in Rajagiriya.
[7] With the JVP classes conducted by Danoris Aiya in 1969, he was influenced to become one of the leading political figures in Sri Lanka.
Technical Officer Paranavithana informed Navaratne Banda about Somawansa and after the first discussion at Devanam Piyatissa Mawatha in Maradana, he expressed his desire to join the business, attended JVP classes at Danoris Aiya's trade union office at the Land Development Department on Castle Street.
He was also known in several names: Reginald Patrick, Reggie Kandappa, Michael, Fanlin Danio and Nimal Bandara Dissanayake.
He conducted many rallies and maintained regular contacts with human rights, cultural and media circles all around Colombo, becoming prospects of future JVP hands.
He was carrying a bag of bombs to join the Rosmead attack until 10.30pm on April 4, 1971, near the Ritz Cinema in Borella, but no other members arrived.
Somawansa along with Ederamulla Sarath, Raja, Nimal and several others were arrested on the night of April 5, 1971 after being caught carrying the bag of bombs.
[3] Amarasinghe was the leader who coordinated the international network, human rights organizations and intellectuals during the JVP's Second Rebellion.
With insurrection starting in the late 1980s, his wife and son were sent to Japan in April for safety, but returned home in September of the same year.
On the way back, Somawansa descended Mount Trinity whereas Piyadasa and H. B. Herath were arrested at Galaha's house on the same day.
[5] He arrived in Thailand with his family from India on October 19, 1990, and sought political asylum at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on March 6, 1991.