Sri Lankan born counsel appointed as Superior Court Justice in Canada 

Sri Lankan-born Suranganie Kumaranayake was appointed Superior Court of Justice for the Province of Ontario in Brampton, Canadian media reported.

Prior to her appointment, Justice Kumaranayake practised exclusively in child protection for close to 16 years, initially as legal counsel with the Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto. In December 2003, she joined the Children's Aid Society of Hamilton as legal counsel. Prior to entering the field of child protection, she worked as Staff Criminal Duty Counsel. In this role, she appeared in several courthouses throughout Toronto, as well as in the specialized court programs at Old City Hall: the Toronto Drug Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, Integrated Domestic Violence Court, and Gladue Court. 

She immigrated to Canada as a child with her parents and siblings, having first lived in Sri Lanka and England. She grew up in Ottawa and Burlington. She learned the value of a strong work ethic and compassion from the example set by her parents. 

Kumaranayake holds a B.A. (Honours) in psychology and sociology from Queen's University, an LL.B. from the University of Windsor, and a Certificate in Mental Health from Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development. Kumaranayake completed her articles in civil litigation with Fellowes, McNeil.

Following her call to the Ontario Bar in 1997, she interned as a legal researcher in Namibia. After completing this internship, she joined Fellowes, McNeil as an associate.