Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows

Julian Ranjithan (Ranjan) Chanmugam was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 24 February 1924, the son of Dr William Arthur Nesabooshinam Chanmugam and Sornapoo Lavinia Chanmugam (née David). He was educated at St Benedict’s College and St Joseph’s College, Colombo, and subsequently entered the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ceylon, where he met his future wife, Dr Olga Cooray. He passed the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in December 1958. He then returned to Ceylon, practising in Colombo for the next seven years, and served as resident surgeon at Sulaiman’s Hospital, the Grandpass Maternity and Nursing Home. A keen sportsman, he had played cricket for his schools and later remained closely involved in sport. During the 1960s he was doctor to the Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club (CR&FC) and Honorary General Secretary of the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club at the Colombo Oval. He also served as doctor at the Colombo Oval, where a stand is named in his honour. Ranjan died after a short illness on 23 July 1966 at the Royal Free Hospital, London, aged 42. He was survived by his wife and their four children.