Dr. Asoka Dissanayaka

Dr. Asoka Dissanayaka graduated from the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya in 1984 with a Second Class – Upper Division and was awarded the ‘Doctor Ranjan Abeysingha’ award for achieving the highest marks in 1984.

She started her career in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Dance, Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya and was promoted to Senior Lecturer Grade I in 2001. In the year 2005, she was appointed as the first Head of the Department of the Department of Low Country Dance, Faculty of Dance and Drama, University of Visual and Performing Arts.

In addition to her service at the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya from 1986 to 2005 and at the University of Visual and Performing Arts from 2005 to date, she served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Kelaniya (1996-2016), Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo (2000-2010) and University of Sri Jayewardenepura (2008-2020). Further, she worked as a resource person at the National Institute of Education, contributing to the preparation of the teachers’ guide and the development of audio and video teaching material. She also participated in workshops conducted by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, for the preparation of G.C.E. Advanced Level model papers.

Research Interests:

• Low Country Dance
• Psychology
• Counselling
• Folk Dance and Music
• Kōlam Dance
• Angampora Satan Krama Kalāva and Beliefs in Gods and Goddesses in Sri Lanka.

Publications:

Research Publications:

• Shānthikarmawaladi Bhāvitha Punkalasa – ISBN 978-955-44043-04 (2012)
• Launched the creative dance item “Panchanārighata Kōlam” in 2012, discovered through research.
• Launched 3 sets of CDs on “Traditional Low Country Dance Recitals”, “Sindu Wannam in Low Country Dancing” and “Traditional Low Country Recitals” in 2012.

Research Articles:

• Madhu Shānthikarma hā sambandha devi devathavange sambhavaya hā vyāpthiya pilibada vimasiimak (1988)
• Udarata pahatharata hā sabaragamu narthana sampradāyanhii kānthāvanta vishesha vuu yak thovilvala anthargathaya pilibada thulanāthmaka vigrahayak (1999)
• Pun kalasin niruupitha Sri Lakshmi pilibada adyanayak (2000)
• Hisa ves thaebiima hā baedi deva viskam baliya (2002)
• Sanniyakume bhāvitha aedhum paeladum pilibada vimarshanayak (2003)
• Sabaragamu shānthikarmavala aedum paeladum visheshathā (2003)
• Vas dos nivāranaya hā baedi deva viskam baliya (2004)
• Ruukada nātya hā baedi vesha bhuushana vidi (2005)
• Angampora satan kalāva saha beravādhanaya (2010)
• Siyanaee koorala ranga shailiyata ayath yakmadu shānthikarmaya (2013)
• Yak thovilvala anthargatha updeshanāthmaka kriyāvaliya hā sambandha prakāshanāthmaka prathikāraya – A study of the expressive therapeutic counselling in traditional yak thovils in Sri Lanka (2014)
• Sashrikathvaya apeekshitha kooolam hā vathpiliveth āshritha jana naetum pilibada vimasumak (2015)
• Sri lānkeeya jana nātya hā baedhi ananga sankalpaya (2018)
• Deshiya shānthikarmayanhi kāli hā paththini deva sankalpaya matha godanaegunu vath piliveth (2018)
• Māthruu devagana (mav devagana) aedahiima hā sambandha kāli māthā vandanaya. ‘Narthana Gaweshi’ (2024).

Research Publications to be Published:

• Shānthikarma pooja wasthu sadaha bhāvitha shākamaya dravya
• Devāla perahara vath piliveth āshritha kōlam narthana

Research Articles to be Published:

• Abstract presented and received approval for the International Research Symposium of University of Sri Jayewardenepura (ICICH 2020): Soragunu devala perehara hā sambandha aethkada lihini kōlam narthanāngaya pilibada adhyanayak.
• Abstract presented for PATOC Online International Conference, December 2020, organized by the Faculty of Dance and Drama, University of Visual and Performing Arts: Mārgagatha deshana magin prāyoogika narthana igaenviima shishya kendriya igaenviime kriyāvaliya kerehi balapāna ākāraya pilibada vimarshanayak.
• Sri Lankave pahatharata narthana sampradaya prachalitha mōhini pidenna.
• Sri Lankeya Sanskruthiya hā bandunu nānumura sankalpaya pilibanda adhyanayak.

Awards:

• Received the “Vandee Nruthya Mātha” Rathnasiri Wickramanayake Prime Ministerial Appreciation Award in 2009 in celebration of World Women’s Day.
• Medal of Appreciation for Twenty-Five Years of Service to the University of Visual and Performing Arts.
• Received the All-Island Dance and Ballet Competition Evaluation Award presented by the Ministry of Education in the year 2016.
• Received the “Agni lāsa” Award in 2025 presented by the Aesthetic Department of the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA Campus).