P. B. Sannasgala

Punchi Bandara Sannasgala (known as Professor P. B. Sannasgala or Professor Sannasgala) (15 June 1915 - 22 March 1997) was a Sri Lankan academic and linguist. Noted oriental scholar, he was a researcher on Sinhala language, Sinhala literature, Pali and Sanskrit. He is the author of `Sinhala Saahithya Wanshaya' in the 1960s.

Punchi Bandara Sannasgala
Personal details
Born15 June 1915
Died22 March 1997
SpouseNalini Ratnayaka
Children5
Alma materSt. John's College, Panadura
University of Colombo
University of Peradeniya
Professionoriental scholar

Early life and education

Born in Ambagasdowegedara, Ambawela, Uva Province of Ceylon, he was the eldest of eight siblings which included three brothers and four sisters. Receiving is primary education at the local school, he then studied at the Pravacanodaya Pirivena gaining many awards before entering St. John's College, Panadura for his secondary education. He entered Ceylon University College. Having graduated with a BA (Honours) in Sinhala, he went on to gained a masters and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Ceylon.[1] His submission for a Doctor of Letters degree from the Vidyalankara Campus (University of Kelaniya) in 1976 was not carried out by the university although the examiners approved the granting of the degree on his thesis "Sinhala Vocables of Dutch Origin".[2]

Academic career

Starting on his academic career in 1947, he joined the Sinhala Dictionary project in the 1950s. He authored may books and was member of the faculty of the University of Colombo and the University of Kelaniya.[3]

Family

He married Nalini Ratnayaka, daughter of Abeyratne Ratnayaka, first Cabinet Minister of Food, Co-operatives and later Minister of Home Affairs. They had five daughters, including Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama.

  1. "Small beginnings to great heights- 105th birth anniversary of Dr. Punchi Bandara Sannasgala". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  2. "SANNASGALA V. UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA AND MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE" (PDF). www.lawnet.gov.lk/. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  3. "Faculty of Languages". hu.kln.ac.lk. University of Kelaniya. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
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