Prof. Wimal Dissanayake passes away
Professor Wimal Dissanayake, Sri Lanka’s first professor of mass communication and a pioneering scholar in Asian communication theory, has died in Hawaii, at the age of 86. Born on September 6, 1939, in Kurunegala, Dissanayake was an alumnus of Trinity College, Kandy. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya before pursuing postgraduate […]
Professor Wimal Dissanayake, a trailblazer in Sri Lanka's academic landscape, has bid adieu to the world at 86. Born in Kurunegala on September 6, 1939, he was the first professor of mass communication from his homeland and a beacon of Asian communication theory. Dissanayake's scholarly journey began at Trinity College, Kandy, followed by undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Cambridge.
His pioneering role in establishing mass communication as an academic discipline at the University of Kelaniya, where he also served as the founding head of the Department of Mass Communication, was monumental. Dissanayake's influence extended beyond borders, with his work being recognized internationally. He was celebrated for his prowess as a creative writer, literary critic, and an expert on Asian cinema and communication theory.
During his illustrious academic career, Dissanayake penned several influential books and scholarly articles on communication, culture, and media studies. His contributions to the Institute for Culture and Communication at the University of Hawaii, Mnoa, further solidified his standing in global scholarship in communication and cultural studies. Dissanayake's dedication to advancing communication theory and championing Asian perspectives in media studies made him Sri Lanka's most respected academic figure in the field.
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