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Professor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne

Professor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne

Vice Chancellor, Sri Lanka Technology Campus (SLTC) Former 18th Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo (2019 – 2022)
Emeritus Professor in Reproductive Medicine
Consultant Physician & Endocrinologist
Academic & Clinical Profile

A Pioneer in Higher Education and Women’s Health

Professor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne is a senior academic and trailblazing physician with over 30 years of experience in higher education and clinical practice. Recognized as the first endocrinologist appointed to an academic position in Sri Lanka, she is a pioneer in women’s health, obstetric medicine, and reproductive endocrinology in South Asia. Her visionary leadership spans across academia, public health policy, and international clinical research.

Global Recognition

Honoured with the Laureate Award for International Excellence by the Endocrine Society, USA (2017).

Academic Leadership

Served as the 18th Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo and led its historic 150th anniversary.

Clinical Pioneer

Transforming management practices in South Asia for PMOS, gestational diabetes, and obstetric medicine.

Research Impact

Over 100 peer-reviewed publications in top international journals with more than 10,000 citations.

Distinguished Record

Accolades, Contributions & Vision

01

Highest Accolades

  • Laureate Award for International Excellence (Endocrine Society, USA, 2017) – The first from South Asia recognized for internationally pioneering work.
  • Medicare Lifetime Achievers Award 2025 for outstanding contributions to healthcare, medical education, and women's health in Sri Lanka and the broader region.
02

Academic & Clinical

With a teaching career exceeding three decades, Professor Wijeyaratne has left an indelible mark on postgraduate medical education, including the development of innovative medical school curricula. During her tenure as the 18th Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, she led the university in celebrating the 150th anniversary of it’s pioneering Faculty of Medicine and 100th Anniversary of the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts.

Her pioneering clinical work focuses on:

  • Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS formerly PCOS) and insulin resistance among South Asians.
  • Gestational diabetes and complex medical disorders in pregnancy.
03

Vision & Strategy

  • Strengthening SLTC’s collaboration in research and scholarship with centres of excellence in India.
  • Encouraging Sri Lankan students to be self-directed learners with a work-ready holistic outlook.
  • Prevention and control of chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Women’s Health in the region.
  • Multi-sector coordination in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Sri Lanka.
04

Research & Service

  • Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed papers (The Lancet, NEJM, PLoS), h-index of 33, and 10,000+ citations.
  • Funding & Grants: Conceptualized SLMA’s flagship project, NIROGI Lanka, securing World Diabetes Foundation grants.
  • National Leadership: Past President of SLMA, Ceylon College of Physicians, and Endocrine Society of Sri Lanka.
  • Global Roles: Vice President of SAIDIP, International Society for Obstetric Medicine rep, and WHO invited expert.
05

Education & Fellows

  • MBBS (Hons): University of Colombo (1983).
  • M.D. in Internal Medicine: University of Colombo (1989).
  • Doctor of Medicine by Research: (2003).
  • Commonwealth Fellow: University of Leeds UK (1999–2000).

Fellow of the Ceylon College of Physicians & Royal College of Physicians (London). Holds honorary fellowships from SLCE, CGPSL, and API.

06

Community & Life

Beyond academia, she is deeply engaged in grassroots social interventions. As Past President of the Zonta Club in Sri Lanka, she served on Zonta-International’s subcommittee for Golden Zs and spearheaded housing and self-employment initiatives for Tsunami and civil conflict victims in Jaffna.

Married to Mandika Wijeyaratne, Emeritus-Professor of Surgery at the University of Colombo, with children and grandchildren.