[3] Her grandfather, D. P. B. Mahadiulwewa, was Chairman of the Village Tribunals, which functioned during British colonial times.
Her father was S. H. Mahadiulwewa (1906–1988), Kachcheri Mudliyar of Anuradhapura and the member of parliament for Kalawewa between 1947 and 1952.
[3] Chandra was educated at Hillwood College, Kandy[4] and was one of the first women to attend the University of Peradeniya from the Northern Central Province, graduating with a teaching degree in 1961.
1926 – d. 11 August 2011), the member of parliament for Senkadagala,[5] she moved to Kandy, and taught at the Girls’ High School.
[7][3] Ranaraja during and after her tenure on Council was a strong and vocal advocate for the protection and conservation of built heritage in Kandy.