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Daya Dissanayake

デーヤ・ディッサナヤケ

Daya Dissanayake

Pen Names: Daya（Shortened form of his birth name Dayananda used in publications）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-03-08 （Galle, Sri Lanka）
Nationality
Sri Lanka
Languages
Sinhala, English
Religion
Buddhism
Residence History
Unawatuna, Galle → Colombo → Battaramulla, suburb of Colombo

Career

Occupations
novelist, poet, blogger, translator, corporate manager (general manager), systems analyst/programmer (former), teacher (former)
Active Years
1968-

Education

St. Aloysius' College, Galle
Country: Sri Lanka
Secondary education; attended until G.C.E. A/L
(institution unspecified) Diploma in programming and systems design
Degree: ディプロマ
Year of Graduation: 1983
Country: Sri Lanka
Received a diploma in programming and systems design in 1983 and worked as an analyst/programmer

Awards

Sri Lankan State Literary Award (Best English Novel)
1998
Work: Kat bitha
Category: 最優秀英語小説
Organization: State Literary Awards (Sri Lanka)
Result: 受賞
Sri Lankan State Literary Award (Best English Novel)
2007
Work: Eavesdropper
Category: 最優秀英語小説
Organization: State Literary Awards (Sri Lanka)
Result: 受賞
Sri Lankan State Literary Award (Best English Novel)
2013
Work: Miracle Under the Kumbuk Tree
Category: 最優秀英語小説
Organization: State Literary Awards (Sri Lanka)
Result: 受賞
Swarna Pusthaka Award (shared)
2006
Category: 共同受賞
Organization: Swarna Pusthaka award committee
Result: 受賞（共同）
Swarna Pusthaka Award (Best Sinhala Novel, shared)
2013
Work: Chandrarathnage Bawanthara Charikawa
Category: 最優秀シンハラ小説（共同）
Organization: Swarna Pusthaka award committee
Result: 受賞（共同）
SAARC Literary Award
2013
Organization: Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature
Result: 受賞
Lifetime Achievement Award (International)
2024
Organization: Children's Literature Research Center, Agartala
Result: 受賞
G.D. Harti Award
2025
Organization: International Society for Intercultural Studies and Research, Kolkata
Result: 受賞
Golden Harp Award
2025
Organization: Dhara Shree Radha Trust, Odisha
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kat bitha

1998 historical novel

A historical novel centered on Sigiriya told through the musings of a young monk visiting the site in the 11th century. Published in 1998; won the State Literary Award the same year.

historyBuddhismcultural memory

The Saadhu Testament

1998 novel (e-novel)

Considered one of the first novels in Asia to be published electronically; notable for its advocacy of e-publishing and free access.

e-publishingreligious inquiryfreedom of expression

The Healer and the Drug Pusher

2000 novel

Published in 2000. A story that explores healers and drug culture in Sri Lankan society.

social issuestraditional healingmorality

Vessan Novu Wedun

2003 novel (Sinhala, e-book)

A Sinhala e-novel released in 2003; one of the early examples of Sinhala electronic publishing by the author.

e-publishingculture

The Bastard Goddess

2003 novel

A novel that examines society, faith, and personal conflicts.

faithsocial conflict

Thirst

2004 novel

Published in 2004; a work themed around longing and desire.

desirehuman psychology

Moonstone / Chandraratnage Bawanthara Charikawa

2006 novel (English and Sinhala)

Published in 2006; released in both English and Sinhala versions.

bilingual publishingcross-cultural exchange

Eavesdropper / Asa Sitiya Ohu Mese

2007 novel (English and Sinhala)

English edition published in 2007 and won the State Literary Award (Best English Novel). The Sinhala version was released in 2008.

observationsocial insight

Babli / Miracle Under the Kumbuk Tree

2012 novel

English edition published in 2012; depicts rural life and religious practice, and won the Best English Novel award in 2013.

rural lifereligion and faithsocial strata

The Clone / Kloniyakage Katha Vasthuwa

2012 novel

Published in 2012. A story that examines science, ethics, and identity.

science ethicsidentity

Sacred Grove

2024 novel

Published in 2024. A story narrated by an Ashvatta (sacred tree); published by Dhara Shree Radha Trust.

nature perspectiveenvironment and memory

Who was Ashoka? A critical study

2019 nonfiction (historical study)

A critical study examining Buddhist history and the historical figure of King Ashoka. Published in 2019 by Birdnest, Odisha.

historical researchBuddhist history

Inequality (poetry collection)

poetry

A poetry collection noted for its experimental use of language.

inequalitylinguistic experimentation

Bibliography

  • Kat bitha (1998)
  • The Saadhu Testament (1998)
  • The Healer and the Drug Pusher (2000)
  • Vessan Novu Wedun (2003)
  • The Bastard Goddess (2003)
  • Thirst (2004)
  • Moonstone / Chandraratnage Bawanthara Charikawa (2006)
  • Eavesdropper / Asa Sitiya Ohu Mese (2007/2008)
  • Babli / Miracle Under the Kumbuk Tree (2011/2012)
  • The Clone / Kloniyakage Katha Vasthuwa (2012)
  • Who was Ashoka? A critical study (2019)
  • Sacred Grove (2024)
  • Inequality (poetry collection, year unknown)

Translations by Author

  • Swayanjatha (Sinhala to English, translation by author)
  • Son of the Soil (biography of H.K. Dharmadasa, Sinhala to English translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, expository narrationa technique that blends historical sources with fictionbilingual expression (writes and publishes in Sinhala and English)
Recurring Motifs
Buddhism and religious practicehistorical heritage (e.g., Sigiriya)portrayal of rural and underclass communitiesthemes of e-publishing and freedom of expression

Legacy

Daya Dissanayake, as a bilingual Sri Lankan writer, is a pioneer of electronic publishing and free access. Through multiple national literary awards and a body of work spanning religion, history, and rural life, he has influenced both English- and Sinhala-language literature in Sri Lanka.

Quotes

  • “Daya Dissanayake's greatest virtue is that he sees Sri Lanka ‘steadily and sees it whole’ he writes well (...) and gives us an evocative portrayal of a world we see daily but do not perceive – the rural underclass – a culture incredibly foreign to snug Colombo gatherings.”
    Source: Review by Regi Siriwardena (on Miracle Under the Kumbuk Tree) (2012)

Trivia

  • Considered one of the earliest authors in Asia to publish an e-novel (The Saadhu Testament, 1998).
  • Published one of the first Sinhala e-novels (Vessan Novu Wedun, 2003).
  • Reportedly the only Sri Lankan writer to receive the State Literary Award for Best English Novel three times.
  • Known as an advocate for releasing works online for free, copyleft, and Creative Commons.
  • Has a corporate background (e.g., Nawaloka group) alongside his literary career.