Dr. Hashini Rangika Epa Arachchi claims half of all MBBS gold medals while ranking first island-wide for medical internship appointments

University of Colombo medical graduate Dr. Hashini Rangika Epa Arachchi has achieved an exceptional milestone, winning 16 of the 32 MBBS gold medals, earning First Class Honours across all five MBBS streams, and ranking first island-wide for medical internship appointments.

Sri Lankan medical graduate Dr. Hashini Rangika Epa Arachchi has achieved an exceptional academic milestone at the University of Colombo, receiving 16 of the 32 gold medals awarded for the MBBS programme at the university’s General Convocation 2025.

The achievement means Dr. Arachchi secured half of all gold medals presented for the MBBS programme, highlighting an extraordinary record of academic excellence during her undergraduate medical education.

The University of Colombo’s General Convocation 2025 (Phase I) was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on 22 May 2026, with the Faculty of Medicine’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery graduates taking part in the first session.

First Class Honours Across All Five MBBS Streams

Dr. Arachchi demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout her medical studies, earning First Class Honours in all five MBBS academic streams, including the Final MBBS examination.

Achieving strong results throughout every stage of a medical degree is an accomplishment in itself. Her performance across all five streams, combined with the scale of her medal success, places her among the standout graduates of her cohort.

She represented the 2018 A/L MBBS batch as Valedictorian, reflecting the distinction she achieved during her undergraduate years.

Ranked First Island-Wide for Medical Internship Appointments

Her achievements extended beyond university examinations.

Dr. Arachchi secured first place island-wide in the common merit list of MBBS graduates for medical internship appointments.

The national ranking is particularly significant because internship appointments represent the transition from undergraduate medical education into practical clinical service.

Together with her university results, the achievement demonstrates a consistently high level of academic performance across both institutional and national assessments.

Professor Tilak Hettiarachchy Award for Academic Excellence

Dr. Arachchi was also presented with the prestigious Professor Tilak Hettiarachchy Award for Academic Excellence.

Her undergraduate record reportedly included several Dean’s List Awards as well as the Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation Scholarship, further recognising her sustained academic performance.

Her success therefore extends beyond a single examination or convocation ceremony and reflects years of commitment throughout her medical degree.

An Interest in Medical Research

Alongside her undergraduate academic work, Dr. Arachchi has also been involved in medical research.

Published reports about her academic career cite research interests covering areas including antenatal anxiety, scrub typhus, dengue and interstitial lung disease.

Her engagement with research alongside a demanding MBBS programme reflects the wider role that scientific inquiry plays in modern medicine — combining clinical knowledge with research that can contribute to better understanding, diagnosis and treatment.

A Proud Achievement for Sri Lankan Medical Education

Dr. Arachchi’s achievement is also a significant moment for Sri Lankan university education.

Medicine remains one of the country’s most demanding academic disciplines, requiring students to combine scientific knowledge, clinical competence, practical training and responsibility towards patients.

Receiving 16 gold medals while maintaining First Class performance throughout all five academic streams demonstrates the level of discipline and commitment required to excel in such an environment.

For Sri Lankan students at home and around the world, her achievement provides a powerful example of what can be accomplished through sustained study, curiosity and dedication.

From Academic Excellence to Patient Care

Gold medals, rankings and university awards celebrate an extraordinary chapter of Dr. Arachchi’s journey, but graduation also marks the beginning of another important responsibility.

The next stage is where academic knowledge moves from lecture theatres, laboratories and examinations into hospitals and direct patient care.

For an emerging medical professional, the true long-term value of academic achievement lies in how that knowledge is ultimately used to improve people’s lives.

SLD Perspective

Sri Lanka has a long tradition of producing highly capable doctors, academics, researchers and professionals who contribute both locally and internationally.

Achievements such as Dr. Hashini Rangika Epa Arachchi’s deserve recognition not simply because of the number of medals involved, but because they demonstrate the potential of Sri Lankan students to reach exceptional standards through education, discipline and research.

For younger Sri Lankans considering careers in medicine, science and research, her journey is a reminder that academic excellence is built over many years rather than through a single examination.

Sri Lanka Directory congratulates Dr. Hashini Rangika Epa Arachchi on this remarkable achievement and wishes her every success in her future medical and research career.