Mar 16 (InfoLanka) Former civil servant M. J. Perera passed away after a brief illness on Thursday. Mr. Perera who joined the coveted Ceylon Civil Service in 1939, held a number of top administrative positions in the country's public service during an illustrious career that spanned nearly 50 years. The period during which he served as the Director General of Radio Ceylon-now SLBC-is to date widely considered as the golden era of that institution.

His services as the Permanent Secretary to the Education Ministry and Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University are still remembered. In 1997, he was conferred with the Deshabandu award in recognition of his services to the nation. He was also honoured by the Editors' Guild for this excellent contribution towards the overall development of media policy. His funeral will take place at the General Cemetery, Kanatte at 4 p.m. on Sunday.