Pathmanathan Ramanathan (1 September 1932 – 7 December 2006) was a leading Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer and judge.

[1] He was the son of Sangarapillai Pathmanathan, a broker and chairman of the Low-Country Products Association, and Srimani, grand daughter of Ponnambalam Ramanathan, a leading politician during British colonial rule.

After school Ramanathan went to the UK and studied at the St David's College, University of Wales and Gray's Inn.

[1] There he formed lifelong friendships with Sinha Basnayake, Desmond Fernando, Dr. Tony Gabriel, Palitha Kirthisinghe, Ajit Jayaratne, Dr. Lal Jayawardena, Dr. Mano Muttucumaru and Dr. Gihan Tennekoon.

[3][4] Ramanathan was awarded the Deshamanya title, the second highest civilian honour in Sri Lanka, by President Chandrika Kumaratunga.