President Maithripala Sirisena's Coordinating Secretary Asanka Dodanwala has passed away suddenly. 

Dodanwela, a politician based in Kandy, had died due to cardiac arrest, sources close to the President said. 

He was also the Deputy Mayor of Kandy at one point. 

Sources within the President's office said Dodanwela was one of the closest associates of Sirisena. 

His funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.