British-born science fiction writer and visionary Arthur C Clarke died at a private hospital in Colombo on Wednesday morning, his office said.
According to officials, Clarke, who had been in and out of hospital, died in Apollo Hospital aged 90.
Clarke was the first to suggest the use of satellites orbiting the earth for communication and predicted that commercial space travel would one day be commonplace.
Celebrating his birthday on December 16, Clarke, who wrote many of his more than 70 books in Sri Lanka, expressed his desire for a lasting peace in the island nation.
“I've been living in Sri Lanka for 50 years, and half that time I've been a sad witness to a bitter conflict that divides my adopted country, and dearly wish to see a lasting peace established in Sri Lanka as soon as possible,” Clarke had said at his last birthday party.
He was Sri Lanka's best-known resident guest and has a scientific academy named after him.
According to officials, Clarke, who had been in and out of hospital, died in Apollo Hospital aged 90.
Clarke was the first to suggest the use of satellites orbiting the earth for communication and predicted that commercial space travel would one day be commonplace.
Celebrating his birthday on December 16, Clarke, who wrote many of his more than 70 books in Sri Lanka, expressed his desire for a lasting peace in the island nation.
“I've been living in Sri Lanka for 50 years, and half that time I've been a sad witness to a bitter conflict that divides my adopted country, and dearly wish to see a lasting peace established in Sri Lanka as soon as possible,” Clarke had said at his last birthday party.
He was Sri Lanka's best-known resident guest and has a scientific academy named after him.
