'What defines his work is love': A daughter's tribute to Professor J. B. Dissanayake

The felicitation ceremony held recently at the University of Colombo in honour of Emeritus Professor J.B. Dissanayake was more than a formal tribute—it was a celebration of a life lived with purpose, commitment, and above all, love. At the heart of the evening’s warmth and sincerity was a moving tribute from his daughter, Dr. Madhubashini Dissanayake Rathnayake, herself a respected academic and writer.

- BY IFHAM NIZAM

“What defines my father’s work is love,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “From the important academic interventions he has done in fields ranging from linguistics, language studies, culture, religion, and children’s literature—one thing stands out, the love he brings to the work and the people he is doing it for.”

Those gathered at the event—former students, colleagues, ministers, and admirers—nodded in agreement. Many had experienced firsthand the passion and tireless dedication of the man affectionately known as Appachchi to his family and Guru Tuma to generations of students.

Dr. Rathnayake recounted vivid memories from her childhood, following her father across the country during his groundbreaking radio programme Thunpath Rata, watching crowds gather wherever he went. “I have seen it from childhood,” she reflected. “Crowds flocking around him... hearing him speak to thousands and thousands of people in my lifetime... or going with my parents and family to Sigiriya, and him opting not to climb up because he just can’t get away from the crowds.”