Panchalingam was the son of Muthiah, a businessman from Kandy in central Ceylon.
[1] After school he joined the University of Ceylon, graduating with an honours BSc degree in chemistry.
[1] After university Panchalingam worked as a research officer in the Rubber Research Institute before joining the Ceylon Civil Service in 1957 a District Land Officer.
[1][2] A youth with an AK-47 rifle had fired 23 bullets into Panchalingam's body, eight into his head.
[2] The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam claimed responsibility for Panchalingam's killing.