[1] He was the son of R. Thamodarampillai, a proctor from Udupiddy in northern Ceylon.
[3] After school Ramalingam joined Ceylon University College, graduating in 1926 with a B.Sc.
[2][4] Ramalingam joined the legal profession, practising as an advocate in northern Ceylon.
[2] Ramalingam contested the 1947 parliamentary election as the All Ceylon Tamil Congress's (ACTC) candidate in Point Pedro.
[6] The ACTC joined the United National Party led government on 3 September 1948.