Hall of Fame

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 ARCHITECTURE & HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

Royal College Highlights

• Educated at Royal College, Colombo.

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards 

• Architecture and academic leadership training in Japan. 

Career Milestones

• Vice-Chancellor, Ritsumeikan Trust (2004–2010)
• President, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan
• Professor, Ritsumeikan University

Notable Contributions

• Led major internationalisation initiatives in Japanese higher education and strengthened academic ties between Japan and Sri Lanka.

Honours & Distinctions

• Felicitated by the Government and Emperor of Japan for services to higher education.

Current Engagement

• Chancellor, University of Moratuwa (from 2024).

Pathology 

Royal College Highlights

• Educated at Royal College, Colombo.

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards

•  Medical and specialist pathology training in the United States. 

Career Milestones

• Pathologist, Pasadena, California
• Affiliated with Keck Hospital of USC and LAC+USC Medical Center
• Over 45 years of clinical and academic practice

Notable Contributions

• International authority on adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastro esophageal junction. Served on WHO expert panels and multiple editorial boards of leading medical journals.

Honours & Distinctions

• Listed in Best Doctors in America (since 1998).

Current Engagement

• Continues clinical practice and international academic advisory roles.

CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY

Royal College Highlights 

• Represented Royal College in Tennis and Debating; awarded Public Schools Tennis Colours for five consecutive years. Member of Sri Lanka Under 18 National Tennis Team (1965). 

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards 

• MBBS (Second Class Honours) 
• FRCS (Edinburgh) 
• MS (University of Sri Lanka) 

Career Milestones 

• Trauma Surgeon, Accident Service, Colombo 
• Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, National Hospital Colombo 
• Consultant, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (1995–2012) 
• Clinical Director, Hemas Hospitals 

Notable Contributions 

• Performed Sri Lanka's first Arterial Switch Operation for TGA and introduced paediatric and neonatal open-heart surgery. Pioneered thoracic aortic surgery in Sri Lanka. 

Honours & Distinctions 

• Recipient of national surgical awards and Lifetime Achievement Award in Cardiothoracic Surgery (2023). 

Current Engagement 

• Leads clinical governance and implementation of Electronic Health Records in the private healthcare sector.

PUBLIC SERVICE & GOVERNANCE

Royal College Highlights 

• Educated at Royal College, Colombo. 

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards 

• Attorney-at-Law, Sri Lanka Law College. 

Career Milestones 

• Member of Parliament (since 1989) 
• Minister of Higher Education & Highways (2015–2019) 
• Leader of the House of Parliament 
• Minister of Public Enterprises & Kandy Development 

Notable Contributions 

• Contributed significantly to parliamentary leadership and national policy in higher education and infrastructure development. 

Current Engagement 

• Continues active involvement in parliamentary and public affairs.

JURISPRUDENCE & CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Royal College Highlights 

• Educated at Royal College, Colombo. 

Academic Qualifications 

• Distinguished legal academic career in Australia. 

Career Milestones 

• Professor of Law, University of Queensland 
• Internationally recognised constitutional scholar 

Notable Contributions 

• Author of leading texts including Jurisprudence and Australian Constitutional Law. Significant contributions to scholarship on constitutional governance and rule of law. 

Current Engagement 

• Continues research and academic writing in constitutional theory.   

 NEPHROLOGY & ACADEMIC MEDICINE

Royal College Highlights 

• Scholarship student at Royal College, Colombo. 

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards 

• MBBS, MD 
• FRCP (London), FRCPE (Edinburgh), FRACP 
• Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (Sri Lanka) 

Career Milestones

• Senior Professor of Medicine, University of Colombo 
• Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine 
• Consultant Physician & Nephrologist, National Hospital Sri Lanka 
• Founder, Western Hospital 

Notable Contributions 

• Pioneered kidney transplantation in Sri Lanka (first transplant in 1985). Regarded as the Father of Modern Nephrology and Dialysis in Sri Lanka. 

Honours & Distinctions 

• Recipient of the national honour Vidya Jyothi (1993). President, Sri Lanka Medical Association (2009). 

Current Engagement 

• Senior Professor, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University; continues leadership in nephrology and transplant services.  

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

Royal College Highlights 

• Senior Library Reader Award 1965. 

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards 

• FRCPath – Consultant in Clinical Microbiology (UK) 
• Fellow, Royal College of Pathologists (UK) 
• Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 
• Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand 
• Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc), Yerevan University, Armenia 
• UNESCO Endowed Professor, South Asian Centre for Teacher Education, Sri Lanka 

Career Milestones 

• Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, Glasgow 
• Executive Dean, University of Hong Kong 
• Executive Dean, University of Queensland 

Notable Contributions 

• Authored over 500 scientific publications (39,000+ citations; h-index 106). Pioneer in oral candidiasis research. Author of Essential Microbiology for Dentistry (6th Edition, 2024), a globally adopted text. First Sri Lankan to lead a world no 1 ranked health care institution, at the Hong Kong University. 

Honours & Distinctions 

• King James IV Professorship (RCS Edinburgh); Distinguished Scientist Award (IADR); multiple honorary fellowships and hon doctorates from Sri Lanka, Armenia and Thailand. Honorary Fellowships from Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, (FDSCRCS) Glasgow (FDS RCPS), Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS) and College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong (FCDSHK) and College of Pathologists of Hong Kong (FHKCPath) 

Current Engagement 

• Continues international academic advisory roles and higher education reform advocacy. High Potential Professor, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

 BUSINESS LEADERSHIP, PUBLIC SERVICE & SPORTS ADMINISTRATION

Royal College Highlights 

• Served as a School Prefect. 
• Winner of the Best Performance Award at the 1966 Royal–Thomian Cricket Encounter. 

Academic Qualifications 

• BSc, University of Ceylon, Colombo (1970) – Mathematics & Chemistry 
• Named Most Outstanding Sportsman of the University 

Career Highlights 

• Managing Director and Group Chairman, George Steuart & Co 
• Led the rebuilding of the company following the destruction of its Head Office in the 1996 Central Bank bombing 
• Served in key roles in the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka 
• Member, Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee during a critical period 
• Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Australia (2015 -) 

Notable Contributions 

• Provided strong corporate leadership during one of Sri Lanka's most challenging periods Contributed to governance and reform in Sri Lankan cricket. Strengthened Sri Lanka–Australia relations during diplomatic service 

Honours & Distinctions 

• Best Performance Award – Royal–Thomian Cricket Encounter (1966). Most Outstanding Sportsman – University of Ceylon, Colombo 

Current Engagement 

• Engaged in social and community service initiatives focused on education, rural upliftment, and child welfare. Dedicated post-retirement years to social service, supporting school meal programmes, educational initiatives in the North and East, and Haputale District of Sri Lanka

HAEMATOLOGY & CANCER RESEARCH 

 Royal College Highlights 

• Educated at Royal Primary School and Royal College, Colombo. 

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards 

• BSc (First Class Honours), University of London 
• PhD, University of London 

Career Milestones

• Department of Haematology & Cancer Institute, University College London (1979–2014) 
• Associate Professor Emeritus, UCL 

Notable Contributions 

• Research on molecular mechanisms of leukaemia; published widely in leading international journals; contributor to major haematology textbooks. 

Current Engagement

• Continues academic and scholarly involvement. 

 ECONOMICS (COMPUTABLE ECONOMICS & MACROECONOMIC THEORY)

Royal College Highlights 

• Educated at Royal College, Colombo. 

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards 

• BSc Engineering, Kyoto University 
• Master's, University of Lund 
• PhD, Cambridge University 

Career Milestones 

• Distinguished Professor, New School for Social Research (New York) 
• Professor, University of Trento 
• Founder, Algorithmic Social Sciences Research Unit 

Notable Contributions

• Internationally recognized for advancing computable and constructive approaches in economic theory. Author and editor of influential books and scholarly works. 

Honours & Distinctions 

• Recipient of international research fellowships and distinguished lectureships. 

Current Engagement 

• Senior Visiting Professor, Madras School of Economics.

Public and Social Service 

  Field of Achievement

•  Attorney‑at‑Law 
• Public Administration: Youth, Community, Human Resource & Sports Development

Royal College Highlights

• First XV Rugby Colours
• Member, College Swimming Team

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards

• LL.B., University of Ceylon, Colombo
• Attorney‑at‑Law, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
• Postgraduate Diploma in International Studies (BCIS)
• World Bank Institute – Policy & Institutional Reform
• Lions Club Gold Medal for Youth Development
• London Borough of Harrow Award for Youth Service

Career Milestones

• Legal Practitioner (1972–1977)
• Chairman & Director General, National Youth Services Council (1977–1990)
• Deputy & Commissioner General for Essential Services (Disaster Management)
• Managing Director, Janasaviya Trust Fund (World Bank/UNDP-supported)
• Secretary to Ministries including Youth Affairs, Sports, Reconstruction &      Rehabilitation, Policy Development, and Finance/Treasury
• Senior Advisor & Head, Policy Development Unit, Prime Minister’s Office
• Chairman, Outward Bound Trust of Sri Lanka
• Vice President, National Olympic Committee

Notable Contributions

• Leadership in National Youth Development initiatives
• Maintenance of essential services during 1983 and 1989 national crises
• Development of a community-based poverty alleviation model
• Introduction of Outward Bound experiential learning to Sri Lanka
• Advancement of  Volleyball to South Asian championship standard

Honours & Distinctions

• Chairman, Law  Society, University of Ceylon
• President, Law  Students’ Union, University of Colombo
• Member, Commonwealth Youth Affairs Council
• Board Member, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute

Current Engagement

• Director, Sri  Lanka Business Development Center
• Director, Rural  Returns (Gte) Ltd.

Aircraft Engineering & Maintenance 

Field of Achievement

• Aircraft Engineering, Maintenance, Aviation Safety & Airline Technical Management

Royal College Highlights

• Educated at Royal College, Colombo
• Senior Basketball Captain and Coloursman
• Senior Hockey Coloursman
• Represented at House level in Athletics and Cricket

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards

• BSc General Degree, University of Ceylon
• MBA, University of Western Sydney
• Diploma in  Aeronautical Executives Development, IAAG, France
• Airline Maintenance Management Studies, Canada
• Airline Management Studies, United Kingdom
• Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer 

Career Milestones

• Head of Engineering & Maintenance, Air Lanka / SriLankan Airlines — 12 years
• Technical Consultant and Director Flight Safety, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka — 3 years
• Chief of Airworthiness, Engineering Design, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)      Approved Organisation — 7 years
• Approved Engineer for a range of Douglas, Boeing, Lockheed and Airbus aircraft
• Over 55 years of experience in aircraft engineering, maintenance and aviation management

Notable Contributions

• Speaker and presenter on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka at USTDA, USA — 1993
• Speaker and presenter at the South East Asian Air Operators’ Technical Forum, Bombay —      1994
• Regular speaker and presenter at worldwide aircraft manufacturers’ forums for      international air operators

Honours & Distinctions

• Winner, Seniors, RCGC Grand Prix 2017/18
• Winner, Seniors, RCGC Grand Prix 2019/20
• Winner, Seniors, RCGC Captain’s Cup 2019
• Captained the  Old Royalists Golf Team, 2024, winning the Royal–Thomian Golf Encounter

Current Engagement

• Aviation technical and management consultant
• Avid golfer

Power Systems Engineering & Utility Management 

Field of Achievement

• Power Sector Engineering, with expertise in Power System Control and Powerline Carrier Communication 

Royal College Highlights

• Member of the Industrial Arts Club
• Member of the Sinhala Literary Association 

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards

• Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering, specialising in Electronics and Communication, University of Moratuwa
• Master of Business Administration in Utility Management, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland 

Career Milestones

• Former General Manager, Ceylon Electricity Board
• Former Chairman, National Engineering Research and Development Centre, Sri Lanka 

Notable Contributions

• Played a leading role in establishing the first National System Control Centre of the Ceylon Electricity Board, a significant milestone in the modernisation and efficient operation of Sri Lanka’s national electricity network
• Felicitated with the title IET Ambassador for notable contributions to policies and strategies in advancing the agenda of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, United Kingdom
• Represented Sri Lanka as Chairman of the IET Sri Lanka Local Network at the IET South Asia      Community Volunteer Conference in 2013, contributing to regional collaboration and the advancement of the engineering profession

Honours & Distinctions

• Past International Professional Registration Advisor for the Institution of Engineering and Technology, United Kingdom
• Past Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, United Kingdom
• Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka
• Past Chairman of the Sri Lanka Centre of the Institution of Engineering and Technology,      United Kingdom

Current Engagement

• Plays an advisory role in the promotion and maintenance of medical equipment for the healthcare sector in Sri Lanka

Apparel Manufacturing & Export Leadership  

Field of Achievement

• Large-scale manufacture of clothing for export

Royal College Highlights

• Educated at Royal College, Colombo

Academic Qualifications and Honorary Awards

•  Graduate in Textile Technology, University of Salford, United Kingdom 

Career Milestones

• Chairman, Jewelex Group of Companies
• Chairman,  SriLankan Airlines
• Chairman, Hilton Colombo
• Director, Brandix Group of Companies  

Notable Contributions

• Member of the trade negotiations team for obtaining GSP+ concessions from the European Union
• Delegation leader for promoting clothing exports to Japan, France and the United States

Honours & Distinctions

• Fellow of the Textile Institute, Manchester, United Kingdom
• Chairman, Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association
• Chairman, Joint  Apparel Association Forum

Current Engagement

• Serves in an advisory capacity to apparel exporters