Richard Pathirana

Richard Pathirana (24 February 1938 - 3 July 2008) was a Sri Lankan politician and educationist. He was the minister for education and higher education from 1994 to 2000 and the minister for state administration, home affairs and administration reforms from 2000 to 2001 in the cabinets of Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Life and career Pathirana was born on 24 February 1938 at Labuduwa, Galle. Having obtained his primary education at Maitipe Vijayaraja College, he obtained his secondary education at Vidyaloka College, Galle. He graduated from the Peradeniya University and obtained his post graduate diploma from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He was married to Vijitha Pathirage and they had three children. He was a teacher by profession and his teaching career spanned over 22 years.

Service Pathirana established the Rajarata, Sabaragamuwa and Wayamba Universities while higher education minister and increased the annual enrollments of students to local universities.

Pathirana founded Siridhamma College in Labuduwa, Galle.