Richard Pathirana (24 February 1938 - 3 July 2008) was a Sri Lankan politician and educationist.

As an educationist, he did a great service for the development of Meepawala Amarasuriya Vidyalaya and Nagoda Royal College in Galle district.

In 1980, he entered politics and became the Akmeemana Sri Lanka Freedom Party organiser.

He was re-elected to the parliament in 1994 and was appointed minister of education and higher education and chief government whip in the People's Alliance government of Chandrika Kumaratunga.

His son, Ramesh, is a current member of parliament and minister of plantation industries and eExport agriculture.