G. P. Samarawickrama

Samarawickrama was born 5 July 1938 in Colombo, the son of Stephen Samarawickrama and Darlina née Wijeratne.^[2]

Samarawickrama graduated from the University of Ceylon in 1967 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. Following which he was the medical officer-in-charge Venereal Diseases Clinic in Galle between 1968 and 1969, employed at the Government Hospital, Hurikaduwa between 1969 and 1971, and a lecturer, then senior lecturer at the University of Peradeniya between 1971 and 1980.^[2] In 1975 he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of London. In 1980 he was employed as the head of the department of community medicine at Ruhuna University College.^[2] In 1984 following the elevation of the Ruhuna University College to full university status he was appointed the University's inaugural Vice-Chancellor.^[2]