Tharanga is a professional field botanist who works with tropical plants which occur in various eco-systems in Sri Lanka. Tharanga obtained his B.Sc. degree in Biological science and M.Sc. degree in Environmental Forestry from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He is currently reading for his M.Phil degree in Plant Science at the Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya.

He is a project assistant in the National Red Listing program, and started his professional life in Botany at the National Herbarium in Royal Botanical gardens. He is also a flora consultant for the IUCN Sri Lanka. Tharanga has participated in many research and consultancy projects for Universities and other institutes. His knowledge and friendly disposition makes him a desired travel companion.