K. D. Arulpragasam

Professor Kandiah David Arulpragasam (16 September 1931 – 7 August 2003) was a Sri Lankan Tamil academic. He was the first vice-chancellor of Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

Arulpragasam was born on 16 September 1931. He was educated at the S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, St. John's College, Jaffna, Hartley College and Ananda College. After school he joined the University of Ceylon, Colombo from where he graduated with BSc degree in zoology. He then went to the UK for postgraduate studies. He gained a Phd in marine zoology from the University of Wales. He then did post-doctoral training in oceanography at the University of Southampton.

Arulpragasam never married but lived with his brother (Arulanantham) and sister-in-law (Padma).

Arulpragasam joined the Department of Zoology at the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, becoming Professor of Zoology in 1973. He was Dean of the Faculty of Science for a couple of years.

Arulpragasam was appointed Director of Batticaloa University College in April 1985. The college was given full university status in October 1986 and Arulpragasam became its first vice-chancellor.

In October 1996 Arulpragasam was appointed Vice Chairman (Planning) of the second National Education Commission. He was chairman of the Central Environmental Authority and First Associate Director of the Institute of Fundamental Studies. He was also a member of the University Grants Commission and the Governing Council of the National Aquatic Research and Resources Development Authority. He was president of the National Academy of Sciences between 1995 and 1997.

Arulpragasam died in Colombo on 7 August 2003.