Dr Chula Rajapakse

Dr. Chula Rajapakse has enjoyed an illustrious career filled with numerous accomplishments, leading to his recognition in the exclusive network of prominent professionals with Stanford Whos Who. Over the course of his outstanding professional career, Dr. Rajapakse has regularly exhibited the vision, dedication, diligence and passion necessary to be named among the elite.

Dr. Chula Rajapakse is a rheumatologist at the Wellington Rheumatology unit based at the Hutt Hospital Hutt Valley and High St Specialist Centre, in New Zealand. As a rheumatologist with over 30 years of professional experience, Chula devotes his time to diagnosing and managing patients with autoimmune mediated disorders of the joints like Rheumatoid arthritis & Spondyloarthritis, Connective tissues disorders like SLE & Scleroderma and Crystal Synovitis like Gout. His work also involves managing non inflammatory problems with the musculoskeletal system like Osteoarthritis and soft tissue syndromes including fibromyalgia.

Dr. Rajapakse is a native of Sri Lanka who has acquired a unique combination of qualification, skills and experiences. He post-graduated as a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians United Kingdom in 1977 and completed a five year rheumatology post graduate training program in London & Manchester UK , to be certified as a Rheumatologist.

Then in 1982, Dr. Rajapakse proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he set up a Rheumatology Unit at the King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, as its head and as an Associate Professor. In 1988 he proceeded to Wellington, New Zealand joining its Rheumatology Dept. based at the Hutt Hospital, as a consultant. Chula was the departments clinical head from 1996 to 2006. In recognition of his qualifications and experience, in 1992 he was made a fellow of the Royal College Physicians Australia & NZ as well.

Chula volunteers some of his spare time as a spokesman for the United Sri Lanka Association, tirelessly working as an activist to help dispel stereotypes against Sri Lankans.

Dr. Rajapakse is an active member of the New Zealand Rheumatologist Association of which he was the President from 1998 to 2000. He has also been a member of the American College of Rheumatology from 1988. Besides clinical work, he has published extensively in international journals and presented papers also extensively at national and international scientific meetings on his research into clinical rheumatology. He is a sought after teacher of rheumatology by undergraduate and post graduate students in NZ and internationally.

In recognition of his services to Rheumatology and the Sri Lankan community in New Zealand, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England & New Zealand honoured him by making him a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2006.

Languages Spoken
English, Sinhalese

Qualifications
MRCP (UK) 1977, FRCP (UK) 1998, FRACP (Aus/NZ) 1994, D Med Rehab (UK) 1977

Year of NZ Registration
Medical Practitioner: 1968
Specialist: 1982

Hospitals Practising at
Hutt Valley DHB,
Capital & Coast DHB

Specialist Experience

• Associate Professor of Medicine King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia 1982-1988;
• Consultant Rheumatologist at Ropata Specialists & Wellington Regional Rheumatology Unit, 1988-2021;
• Clinical Head of Wellington Regional Rheumatology Unit, 1996-2007
• Rheumatologist In Private Practice From 1990 till Present at High Street Specialist Lower Hutt, (Formerly Ropata Specialists)

National Honours
MNZM 2007

Professional Contribution
President of NZ Rheumatology Association 1998-2008

University Work
Clinical Lecturer, University of Otago, 1998-2008

Community Involvement
Former president & spokesperson for United Sri Lanka Association

Hobbies
Cricket, Politics