A Life of Healing, Writing, and National Thought

Celebrating the 96th Birthday of Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara

- By Dharshan Silva

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