R. D. Gunaratne

Ranil Dion Gunaratne
Born Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Education University of Colombo
S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia
Occupation Director National Science and Technology Commission
Employer University of Colombo
Known for National Chess Player, CEO science and Technology Commission, Chess Administrator, Chemist, Academic
Title Doctor
Board member of President Sri Lanka Chess Federation, Vice President Sri Lanka Chess Federation, Secretary Sri Lanka Chess Federation, Secretary International Relations Institute of Chemistry

Dr Ranil Dion Gunaratne (B.Sc. (Colombo), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Cornell), F.I.Chem.C) is a Sri Lankan chess player, chess administrator, chemist, scientist, academic and science administrator.[1]

Education

Gunaratne, like his grandfather E. B. Wikramanayake, was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia.[2] and Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. He was Head Prefect of the College (1976) and was a member of the English Debating and Drama Societies, a Junior Librarian, Co-Editor of the College Magazine (with Chanaka Amaratunga and Richard de Zoysa, Leader of the Classical Quiz competition team which won the National competition (with Rohan Edirisinghe, Richard de Zoysa Uthum Herat, Chanaka Amaratunga and Devaka Fernando),[3] a member of the Science Quiz team which reached the semi finals of the national competition (with Uthum Herat Professor Chandu de Silva and Devaka Fernando), Tent Secretary of the Royal-Thomian Tent Committee and President of the Photographic Society. He was Captain of the Chess team in 1974,[4] President Chess Society and was awarded Colours in Chess.[5] Other classmates included Russell de Mel and Ivan Corea.

Chess

Gunaratne was a chess player of national and international repute considered a match for the best Indian players at the time along with Christopher Parakrama, and the Athurupahane brothers,.[6][7] After retirement from competition he went on to serve the Sri Lanka Chess Federation as Secretary, Vice President and President. Gunaratne also served in similar capacities to the Chess Association of Sri Lanka in which he was a founder member. [8][9][10][11]

Academic life

Gunaratne returned after completing his PHD at Cornell university to join the Faculty of Science University of Colombo in the Department of Chemistry where he served on the career guidance and welfare committees.[12][13]

Institute of Chemistry

Gunaratne is a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry, served as secretary international relations of the Institute of chemistry and was involved in delivering citations for which he was commended.[14]

National Science and Technology Commission

Gunaratne was seconded as Director and CEO to the National Science and Technology Commission and other government agencies and initiatives to promote development of science and research.[15][16]

References

  1. ↑ "National Science and Technology Commission Annual Report 2010 Page 10 (Qualifications listed)" (PDF). parliament.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  2. ↑ "School prefects". Tyretracks.com. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  3. ↑ Rohan Edirisinghe: Those memorable days in the 1970's St Thomas' College Mount Lavinia, in The History of the Old Boys' Association, MD Gunasena &Co 1985 page 172
  4. ↑ "Hosts Visakha win two titles at chess Sunday Leader 13th August 2006 Volume 13 Issue 6 Sports section". thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  5. ↑ Centenary Issue S Thomas’College Magazine Term 1 1976
  6. ↑ "Hosts Visakha win two titles at chess Sunday Leader 13th August 2006 Volume 13 Issue 6 Sports section". thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  7. ↑ "A note on the making of a chess icon in Sri Lanka". dailynews.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  8. ↑ "New organisation to promote chess". Island.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  9. ↑ "Prize giving". lankachess.com. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  10. ↑ "Sampath Bank Chess Champs". Nation.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  11. ↑ "Aturupane, President CFSL". thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  12. ↑ "University of Colombo Annual Report 2005" (PDF). cmb.ac.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  13. ↑ "Career Guidance Committee". cmb.ac.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  14. ↑ "Prof JNO Fernando honoured". dailynews.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  15. ↑ "Workshop on the Theme "Review of Science Study Programmes: Recent Reforms, Lessons Learned and Way Forward" Organized by the UGC Standing Committee on Sciences and World Bank-HETC Project Date: 20th August 2010 Venue: Hotel Janaki Local and global trends in Science Education Degree Programmes by Dr. RD Gunaratne, Director, NASTEC" (PDF). ugc.ac.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  16. ↑ "National Science and Technology Commission Annual Report 2010 Page 10" (PDF). parliament.lk. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
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