Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake

Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake (; 1 July 1958 – 11 August 2020), also known as Ganganath Dissanayake, was a Sri Lankan university professor, lecturer, academic and diplomat. He is known for his crucial contributions to mass media and has also authored numerous publications in the fields of mass communication, contemporary Sinhala cinema and politics. He served as an associate professor at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and an ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan.

Personal life Ganganath was born on 1 July 1958 in Kandy. His father, Wimalanath Dissanayake, was a film director and journalist.

Ganganath pursued his primary and secondary education at the Dharmaraja College in Kandy. He completed his master's degree in mass communication at the Tsukuba University in 1990 and pursued a PhD degree from Tokai University in 1993.

He was married to Saroja Dissanayake. The couple has two daughters, Saki and Ruchi.

Ganganath died on 11 August 2020 at the age of 62 at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama due to cancer. His remains were kept at his residence at Sambuddhiwatte, Mattegoda for final rites. Funeral services were held at the Borella Public Cemetery on 13 August 2020.

Career Ganganath served as the head of the Department of Sinhala and Mass Media Academic Unit at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura from 2010 to 2013. He has also been the coordinator of the Diploma in Writing and Communication and Post Graduate Diploma conducted by the university. Meanwhile, he served as media advisor to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 1993, 2002 and 2003.

As a journalist, his Pani Walalu column was extremely popular with readers. Ganganath authored a book, Adyathana Cinamawe Vishaya Ksheshthraya (The Scope of Modern Cinema).

Honors In 1993, Ganganath was awarded the Mathshumaye Cultural Award by the Tokai University. In 1999, he was conferred with the Hidoyoshi Mimisu Award by the Government of Japan for his outstanding services and contributions to mass media studies.