Celebrating the 96th Birthday of Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara: A Life of Healing, Writing, and National Thought

With the 96th birthday of Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara FDSRCS (Fellow of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England) being celebrated, we reflect on the extraordinary life of a man who has shaped the nation’s intellectual, cultural, and medical landscapes. Widely revered as a pioneering Sinhala writer, visionary public thinker, and distinguished consultant dental surgeon, Dr Amarasekara’s legacy is one of profound depth and enduring relevance.

Early Life and Education
Born on November 12, 1929, in Yatalamatta, Galle District, Dr Amarasekara’s formative years were steeped in the cultural richness of southern Sri Lanka. He began his education at the primary school in the remote village of Yatalamatta, then moved to Christ Church, Baddegama, and later to Nalanda College, Colombo, where his intellectual curiosity and literary inclinations began to flourish.
He entered the University of Ceylon to study Dentistry. Subsequently, he earned the prestigious FDSRCS qualification from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, marking him one of the few Sri Lankan dental surgeons to achieve this distinction during the mid-20th century.

Contribution as Consultant and Director at the Dental Institute
Dr Amarasekara’s professional career in Dentistry was as distinguished as his literary career. He served as a Consultant Dental Surgeon and later as the Director of the Dental Institute from the 1970s till his retirement. Notably, he never engaged in private practice while working in the government service, choosing instead to dedicate his services only to the public service. He was the Chairman of Post Graduate studies in Dental Surgery and was instrumental in making Dentistry a Post Graduate Course in the country.

Contribution to Sinhala Literature
Dr Amarasekara is widely regarded as one of the founding figures of the Peradeniya School of Modern Sinhala Literature. His literary journey began with the short story “Soma”, which was selected for an international competition by the New York Herald Tribune in 1952. This early recognition set the stage for a prolific career that would span novels, short stories, poetry, plays, and critical essays. His notable works include:

• Novels: Karumakkarayo, Yali Upannemi, Gamanaka Mula, Inimage Ihalata, Asathya Kathawak, Premaye Sathya Kaathawa. 
• Short Stories: Rathu Rosa Mala, Ekama Kathawa, Katha Pahak
• Poetry: Bhavageeta, Avarjana, Amal Biso
• Plays: Pavuru Padanama, 

Literary Criticism and Essays: Abuddassa Yugayak, Jathika Chinthanayai Jaathika Aarthikayai, Anagarika Dharmapala Marx vadeeda. 
His writing is marked by a deep engagement with the moral and cultural dilemmas of post-independence Sri Lanka. He critiqued the middle-class hypocrisy, political opportunism, and the alienation wrought by Westernisation. His literary voice is both lyrical and polemical, capable of evoking emotion while challenging complacency.

Public Intellectual and Architect of Jathika Chinthanaya
From the 1970s onward, Dr Amarasekara emerged as a formidable public intellectual. He was not content to remain within the confines of literary circles. Instead, he ventured into the realm of national thought, becoming the principal architect of Jathika Chinthanaya, a movement aimed at restoring Sri Lanka’s cultural and philosophical self-understanding.
The publication of Sabhyathwa Rajya Nirmanaya took place this year.
His essays interrogated the dominance of Marxist and Western liberal paradigms in Sri Lankan academia and politics. He called for a return to indigenous values, rooted in Sinhala-Buddhist traditions, while remaining open to critical dialogue. His intellectual interventions were not mere abstractions; they were grounded in a vision for national renewal.
In recognition of his contributions, the University of Peradeniya conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Literature in 2021, affirming his stature as one of Sri Lanka’s most influential thinkers.

Family and Legacy
Dr Amarasekara’s personal life is equally distinguished. He is married to Dr (Mrs) Chandra Amarasekara, a respected academic who serves as a Consultant to the National Institute of Education and was Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Social Science at the University of Sabaragamuwa. Her contributions to education and language policy have complemented her husband’s cultural mission.
Their son, Dr Sumedha Amarasekara, MBBS (SYD), MS (Colombo), FRCSEd, MPhil (ANU), is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon. His international qualifications and clinical expertise reflect the family’s enduring commitment to excellence in both medicine and public service.
My father, the late Dr D.V.H. Silva FRCOG Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, was at School in Mahinda with ‘uncle Gunadasa’s elder brother. The friendship of fathers continued as serendipitously as I was with Dr Amarasekara’s son, Sumedha, in Grade 1A at Royal College. Uncle Gunadasa is now the proud grandfather of Maninda, who is completing his medical internship (Brisbane) and Mandri, who is a resident coordinator (University of Auckland); son and daughter of Dr Sumedha Amarasekara and his wife, Dr Sherine Amarasekara (Community physician).
 Together, the Amarasekara family embodies a rare confluence of intellectual, medical, and educational achievement, each member contributing to the betterment of society in their own right.

Conclusion: A Life Worth Celebrating
As Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara FDSRCS (Fellow of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England), enters his 97th year, we celebrate not just a birthday, but a life of rare distinction. He has healed bodies, shaped minds, and stirred souls. His legacy is etched in the annals of Sri Lankan literature, medicine, and national thought. May his wisdom continue to inspire future generations to think deeply, write boldly, and serve selflessly.
(The Writer is the son of the late Dr D.V.H. Silva FRCOG (UK), a distinguished Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, is a seasoned finance and leasing expert and the former transformational CEO of Abans Finance PLC. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Financial Economics, he was a classmate of Dr Sumedha Amarasekara, son of Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara FDSRCS (Eng), since their primary years at Royal College, Colombo. He also holds an MBA.)