Prof. Dammika Ganganath Dissanayake, an academic and a former diplomat, has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer.

He has also served as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

Dissanayake has authored several books including 'Peni Walalu' - his most notable collection of newspaper columns.

He also served as the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan and worked towards strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.