Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa …. in Facebook
Happy 89th Birthday, Professor J. B. Disanayaka
I first met Professor J. B. Disanayaka (fondly remembered by his students as “J.B. Sir”) during my first year, in his Introduction to Language course at the University of Colombo in 1992. That initial encounter left a lasting impression on me, as his teaching combined clarity, scholarly depth, and a remarkable ability to make complex linguistic ideas accessible to undergraduates. Since then, we have worked together on many occasions in the field of language studies in Sri Lanka for over 33 years. These professional engagements have further strengthened my respect for his intellectual contribution and his enduring role in shaping the study of linguistics and Sinhala language in the country.
On a personal level, it was through reading his writings and textbooks that I first developed a sustained interest in writing and publishing on the Sinhala language. His guidance and intellectual framework were instrumental in our own efforts to compile a Sinhala textbook in this area last year.
The photographs below were taken on the occasion when I had the privilege of presenting him with a copy of that book, as a small gesture of gratitude and respect for his immense contribution to the field.
Professor (Chair) Sandagomi Coperahewa, …. Department of Sinhala | University of Colombo, 16th April 2026
Deshamanya Prof. Jayaratna Banda Disanayake (born 16 April 1937) is an emeritus professor and one of the leading authorities of the Sinhala language.[1] He was former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand.[2][3]
Academia
Dissanayake received his primary education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy and secondary education at Ananda College. He graduated from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya campus in 1961. He later received a Fulbright scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, to read for a master’s degree in linguistics and obtained a PhD from the University of Colombo.
With a long teaching career of over 45 years as a lecturer of the University of Colombo, he is the author of numerous books on linguistics, culture and history.[4] Prior to his retirement Dissanayake served in the capacity of the Head of the Department of Sinhala at the university.
Publications
- Lanka, the land of kings by J. B. Disanayake (Sumitha Publishers, Distributed by Sarasavi Bookshop, 2007)
- Mānava bhāṣā pravēśaya by J. B. Disanayake(Sumita Prakāśakayō, 2005)
- Paintings of Kelani Vihara by J. B. Disanayake(Godage Poth Mendura, 2004)
- Kălaṇi Vihāre situvaṃ by J. B. Disanayake(Goḍagē Pot Măndura, 2000)
- Uḍaraṭa Sinhalaya by J. B. Disanayake(Goḍagē Pot Măndura, 2002)
- Understanding the Sinhalese by J. B. Disanayake (S. Godage & Bros., 1998)
- Siyalanga rū sobā by J. B. Disanayake (Goḍagē Pot Mandura, 1998)
- Banda vaṭā pada raṭā by J. B. Disanayake (s. Goḍagē saha Samāgama, 1996)
- Gamaka suvanda siv siya gavu ăsēya by J. B. Disanayake (s. Goḍagē saha Samāgama, 1996)
- Siṃhala bhāṣāvē nava muhuṇuvara by J. B. Disanayake (Saṃskr̥tika Kaṭayutu Depārtamēntuva, 1996)
- Samakālīna Siṃhala lēkhana vyākaraṇaya by J. B. Disanayake (s. Goḍagē saha Sahōdarayō, 1995)
- The monk and the peasant by J. B. Disanayake (State Print. Corp., 1993)
- Water in culture by J. B. Disanayake (Ministry of Environment & Parliamentary Affairs, 1992)
- Siṃhala budu samaya by J. B. Disanayake (Rajayē Mudraṇa Nītigata Saṃsthāva, 1991)
- Studies in Sinhala literacy by J. B. Disanayake(National Association for Total Education, Sri Lanka, 1990)
- Nūtana Siṃhala lēkhana vyākaraṇaya by J. B. Disanayake (Lēk Havus Invesṭmanṭs, 1990)
- Siṃhala vehera vihāra by J. B. Disanayake(Piyavi Pot Prakāśakayō, 1988)
- Mihintale, cradle of Sinhala Buddhist civilization by J. B. Disanayake(Lake House Investments, 1987)
- Say it in Sinhala by J. B. Disanayake(Lake House Investments Ltd., 1985)
- Aspects of Sinhala folklore by J. B. Disanayake (Lake House Investments, 1984)
See also
References
- “Sinhala Accepted As One Of The World’s Most Creative Alphabets”. Asian Tribune. 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- [1] Archived October 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- “300 Lankans left stranded in Bangkok”. The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- “Gleanings :The politics of language, race, religion and culture”. The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- “J. B. Disanayake- 29 works”. Openlibrary.org. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A painting at Kelani Vihara
