Chandra Ranaraja
Chandra Ranaraja | |
---|---|
Mayor of Kandy | |
In office 1990–1991 | |
Preceded by | Tilak Ratnayake |
Succeeded by | Don Edmund Pathirane |
Personal details | |
Born | Chandra Mahadiulwewa 1939 Anuradhapura |
Died | 2 March 2016 Kandy |
Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Political party | United National Party |
Other political affiliations | Sri Lanka Freedom Party |
Spouse | Shelton Ranaraja |
Children | Premila, Aruni, Siromi, Shamila, Anjali |
Parent(s) | S. H. Mahadiulwewa (father) |
Alma mater | Hillwood College |
Chandra Ranaraja (née Mahadiulwewa) (b. 1939 – d. 2 March 2016) was the first female mayor in Sri Lanka, when she was elected the Mayor of Kandy in 1990.[1][2]
The eldest in a family of seven children, Chandra was born in
Chandra was educated at Hillwood College, Kandy[4] and was one of the first women to attend the University of Peradeniya from the Northern Central Province, graduating with a teaching degree in 1961.[3] The first school she taught at was the Holy Family Convent in Anuradhapura.[3] After she married Shelton Ranaraja, (b. 1926 – d. 11 August 2011), the member of parliament for Senkadagala,[5] she moved to Kandy, and taught at the Girls’ High School.[3][4] She gave up teaching to care for her five daughters: Premila, Aruni (b. 1967), twins Siromi and Shamila, and Anjali.[3]
In 1978 Ranaraja was appointed as a member of the first Council of the University of Peradeniya.
Her daughter Aruni is the Ambassador to the Philippines.[9] Ranaraja died on 2 March 2016 at 77 years old.
References
- ISBN 9559579703.
- Sunday Times. 3 March 2016. Archived from the originalon 13 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dharmadasa, Sumangalika (20 March 2016). "Chandra Ranaraja (nee Mahadiulwewa)". The Island. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ a b c Wimalasurendre, Cyril (3 March 2016). "Chandra Ranaraja dead". The Island. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ "Shelton Ranaraja : Principled Politician and Conscience-Keeper of the Nation". Daily Mirror. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ISBN 955580043X.
- ^ Sirima Kiribamune (1999). Women and Politics in Sri Lanka: A Comparative Perspective. International Centre for Ethnic Studies. p. 51.
- ^ "Teaching Kandy's Heritage to Kandy's Children". The Kandy News. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ "Profile of Ambassador Aruni Ranaraja". Embassy of Sri Lanka - Manila, The Philippines. Retrieved 9 January 2017.