Dr. C L Ranatunga (Lal Ranatunga as many of us know) has been graduated, and obtained his BSc (special) in Physics, from the Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in 1983.
After graduation, he worked in the ceramic industry for a few years, and then joined the Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, as an Assistant Lecturer, in May 1990. Starting from the level of Assistant Lecturer, he gradually excelled himself and his qualifications to build up his career as an academic staff member and got promoted up to the Senior Lecturer (I) level. In this path of building his career, he accomplished his postgraduate degree (MPhil.), from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, under the guidance of Prof. P. C. B. Fernando. For his doctoral degree, he produced the thesis titled “An experimental investigation on minimizing the damage inflicted on tomatoes due to post-harvest handling and transport vibrations”. He obtained his PhD in Physics, from the University of Colombo.
As an academic staff member of the Department of Physics, he taught many undergraduate courses, including, Industrial Physics, Nuclear Physics, Modern Physics, Physical Optics are few of them. Additionally, he served as the Senior Treasurer of the Physics Society, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, for several terms.
In addition to academic-related activities, he undertook many community service activities, such as the few listed below.
- President of Vidujaya Science Teachers Association (VSTA) (2011/2012)
- Assistant Secretary of the Institute of Physics Sri Lanka (IPSL)
- Fellow member of the Institute of Physics Sri Lanka (IPSL)
- Secretary of the Section E1, Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science (SLAAS)
- Setter Panel member of the Advanced Level (A/L)” Science for Technology “examination question paper.
- Senior Consultant for the Faculty of Technology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
After a long 31 years of service, at the age of 65, Dr. Ranatunga retired from this academic service to the Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in May 2021.
On this day of his eternal rest, the 18th Jan. 2024, all his colleagues and past students are recollecting his energetic life and the attractive teaching style.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana !!!!
Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
