eLanka

Wednesday, 1 Oct 2025
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Newsletter
  • eLanka Weddings
  • Property
  • eLanka Shop
  • Business Directory
eLankaeLanka
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Follow US
© 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Blog » Articles » OBITUARY – Dr P R{Ranji) WIKRAMANAYAKE (17 01. 1932 – 30.07.2024)
ArticlesObituaries

OBITUARY – Dr P R{Ranji) WIKRAMANAYAKE (17 01. 1932 – 30.07.2024)

eLanka admin
Last updated: October 2, 2024 2:05 pm
By
eLanka admin
ByeLanka admin
Follow:
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

OBITUARY – Dr P R{Ranji) WIKRAMANAYAKE (17 01. 1932 – 30.07.2024)

OBITUARY - Dr P R{Ranji) WIKRAMANAYAKE (17 01. 1932 – 30.07.2024)

A few weeks ago, the Sri Lankan community in Australia lost one its most distinguished sons, Dr P R Wkiramanayake, known as Ranji to his friends, an accomplished and highly regarded endocrinologist. He was 92 years of age  and hailed from a distinguished family with its origins in Galle. The ancestry and genealogy of the family is well recorded in the book “Galle as quiet as asleep “(1993) by. Author Norah Roberts.

The elder son of E.G. Wikramanayake, Queens Counsel, Ranji was born into the lap of luxury. Like his father before him, Ranji attended St Thomas College, Mount Lavinia from where he entered the Ceylon Medical School, and from where he graduated, and proceeded to the UK  for Post graduate work. On his return from London with the M.R.C.P. he was appointed consultant physician at the Out Patients Department of the General Hospital, Colombo. He soon was interested in the study of diabetes and read a paper at the Plenary Scientific Sessions of the Ceylon college of Physicians, thirty years ago. After serving a Nuffield Fellowship in the UK, he moved to Australia where he worked as Diabetologist at the Prince Edward Hospital where he worked for over 10 years.He then took charge of the Diabetic Clinic at the Concord Hospital where another Sri Lankan Dr Medduma Kappagoda served as ophthalmologist.

It was through my close friend and former schoolmate Dr Medduma Kappagoda that I first met Ranji who Kappa brought  home one day about 30 years ago, in order to assess my blood sugar. That visit was the foundation on which a strong friendship developed and through which  I had the great pleasure of enjoying a dear friendship with his brother Nimal later after I moved to Melbourne.  Ranji lived in the affluent and desirable seaside suburb of Vaucluse and his great hobby was horse racing. His father Guy, a leading Queens Counsel, had owned a string of racehorses in Colombo and was the winner of several trophies  when racing was the pastime of “kings and squires”. Ranji too owned at least a couple of thoroughbreds  in Sydney whose activities kept him occupied during his leisure. Ranji married Amara Weerasooria daughter of the late Dr and Mrs SE Weerasooria. Amara was Head Girl of Visakha Vidyalaya and an outstanding netball and tennis player. There combined qualities had to produce extra ordinary children.  Their only son Priyan is a popular gastro surgeon in. Bowral, and the two daughters Roshanara  a lawyer and Shemara is  a highly successful leader in the corporate world of Australia.

More Read

Sri Lanka rue missed opportunities in World Cup opener against India. - BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka rue missed opportunities in World Cup opener against India. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
loving memory Lionel Seneviratne
What it takes to make Prime Minister Modi’s call to buy domestic goods feasible? – By N.S.Venkataraman

It was during the course of last year, and earlier this year that I had close interaction with Ranji. It was during this period that Nimal fell ill and passed away about three  months ago. Ranji was highly solicitous of Nimal’s welfare, and chose to convey his medical advice to Nimal through me. Ranji the elder brother was generally of a quiet and unruffled disposition.  When Nimal was hospitalised he chose not to disturb him, and instead telephoned me for progress reports. About  six weeks ago he rang me from his hospital bed in Prince Edward Hospital where he worked previously,  to say in a feeble voice that his  heart is failing on him. He left this world a few days later.

Ranji Wikramanayake was of a rare breed, sadly lacking in the old country today. Dedicated to his profession, and guide and guardian to his family, he was honest, hardworking and generous. He was a founder member of the. Ceylon College of Physicians, and a member of the Ceylon Society of Australia for many years until his demise.

 A little known aspect of his generosity was his donation of Rs five million  in January 2016

to the Ceylon College of Physicians, the interest earned from the donation to be awarded annually to the best research paper on diabetes. Ranji was to personally  present the donation, but on their way to Colombo, his wife Amara fell ill  in Singapore, and had to return to Australia. He was not a man for excuses and made sure that the gift was  made on his behalf  by his close friend Tilak de Zoysa.

Ranji Wikramanayake certainly earned his rest, may he now rest in peace.

 

Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox!

 

TAGGED:Author Norah RobertsCeylonCeylon College of PhysiciansCeylon Medical SchoolDr P R WkiramanayakeE.G. WikramanayakeQueens CounselSri Lankan Community in Australia
Share This Article
Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Sri Lanka Ports Authority SeaLead Launches New Liner Service with Sri Lanka Ports Authority – By Sri Lanka Ports Authority
Next Article Elanka newsletter eLanka Newsletter – 2nd October 2024 -1st Edition – Sri Lankans In Australia
FacebookLike
YoutubeSubscribe
LinkedInFollow
Most Read
10 Pictures With Fascinating Stories Behind Them!

“A PICTURE SPEAKS A 1000 WORDS” – By Des Kelly

Look past your thoughts so you may drink the pure nectar of this moment

A Life Hack for when we’re Burnt Out & Broken Down – By Uma Panch

Narration of the History of our Proud Ancestral (Orang Jawa) Heritage. by Noor R. Rahim

eLanka Weddings

eLanka Marriage Proposals

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News- By Noel Whittaker

EILEEN MARY SIBELLE DE SILVA (nee DISSANAYAKE) – 29 September 1922 – 6 April 2018 – A Woman of Value an Appreciation written by Mohini Gunasekera

K.K.S. Cement Factory

Dr.Harold Gunatillake’s 90th Birthday party

Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne

Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s squad in Melbourne

- Advertisement -
Ad image
Related News
Articles

Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – September 2025

Brisbane Heat launches Shaheen's Fan Bay to celebrate Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first BBL stint
Articles

Brisbane Heat launches Shaheen’s Fan Bay to celebrate Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first BBL stint

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BEULAH ERIN WAHAB
Articles Obituaries

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BEULAH ERIN WAHAB

Trump Netanyahu Gaza peace plan , US peace plan for Gaza 2025 , Trump Gaza ceasefire proposal , Netanyahu Hamas peace agreement , Middle East peace negotiations , Gaza humanitarian aid initiative , Israel Palestine two-state solution talks
Articles Dr Harold Gunatillake

Trump and Netanyahu Announce New US Peace Plan for Gaza – By Dr Harold Gunatillake

Elanka newsletter
Articles eLanka Newsletters

eLanka Newsletter -28th September 2025 – 4th Edition – Sri Lankans In Australia

  • Quick Links:
  • Articles
  • DESMOND KELLY
  • Dr Harold Gunatillake
  • English Videos
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala Videos
  • eLanka Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Tamil Videos
  • Dr. Harold Gunatillake
  • Sunil Thenabadu
  • Sinhala Movies
  • Trevine Rodrigo
  • Michael Roberts
  • Tamil Movies

eLanka

Your Trusted Source for News & Community Stories: Stay connected with reliable updates, inspiring features, and breaking news. From politics and technology to culture, lifestyle, and events, eLanka brings you stories that matter — keeping you informed, engaged, and connected 24/7.
Kerrie road, Oatlands , NSW 2117 , Australia.
Email : info@eLanka.com.au / rasangivjes@gmail.com.
WhatsApp : +61402905275 / +94775882546

(c) 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.