Sci-fi guru Clarke dies in Sri Lanka at 90

British-born science fiction guru Arthur C. Clarke died at a hospital in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, his aide Rohan de Silva told AFP. He was 90.

President Mahinda Rajapakse mourned the death of Clarke and paid tribute to him as a "great visionary." His death was a loss to Sri Lanka, the author's adopted home since 1956, Rajapakse said.

"The president was deeply saddened by his death," spokesman Chandrapala Liyanage said. "The president recalled attending Sir Arthur's 90th birthday celebrations. The president believes his death is a loss to Sri Lanka."

Clarke, who shot to fame after writing "2001: A Space Odyssey," had been in and out of hospital since and had breathing difficulties in recent weeks, de Silva said.

"Sir Arthur passed away a short while ago at the Apollo Hospital," de Silva said. "He had been in hospital for the past four days. He had been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks."

Clarke, who in 1945 predicted the establishment of communication satellites, wrote more than 80 books. He was Sri Lanka's best-known resident guest and has a scientific academy named after him.

His valet, W. K. M. Dharmawardena, said funeral arrangements would be finalised after his close family returned to the island from Australia.

Dharmawardena said Clarke's condition began to deteriorate after his 90th birthday in December. (*)