Prof.Ashley Halpe has passed away at the age of 83.

He became a Professor of English at the tender age of 31 thus becoming the youngest professor in the country.

He is currently considered as the most senior Professor of English, and can fittingly be described as the doyen of English Education in Sri Lanka.

Professor Halpe served in academia holding many positions including those of Dean, Faculty of Arts at the University of Peradeniya, Head of the Department of English for over twenty-five years and Head of Fine Arts for several years and as visiting professor in numerous foreign universities.

He has authored a number of books, including creative works, and academic papers besides translations of Sinhalese works into English and has directed over a dozen theatre productions. His remains are to be brought to the Peradeniya University on Tuesday and the final rights are to be performed on the same day at the Mahaiyyawa cemetery.