She was a secondary school teacher for over four decades, teaching first at St. Joseph's Convent, Kegalle and thereafter for many years at St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.

Rita is the daughter of the late Alfred Justus De Silva Wickremesinghe Gooneratne and late Agnes Mary Perera of Kegalle.

She entered Aquinas College to commence studies for an undergraduate degree, but gave it up when she married. Her wedding to Mayadunne Corea (Snr), took place at St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya in June 1962.

Her husband, being a judicial officer (Magistrate and District Judge), was regularly subject to transfer of stations. Therefore, she played a big role on the home front and in supervising their children's education, to enable him to devote himself to his demanding duties.

A product of St. Joseph's College, Kegalle, she became captain of the Girl Guides Movement. She was later appointed Commissioner of Girl Guides for the Kegalle District and thereafter for the Ratnapura Province.

Rita passed away on 08th November 2016.