Professor C.B. Dissanayake was born on the 8th of January 1944 in Sri Lanka and received his secondary education at Trinity College, Kandy (1953-1964). He entered the University of Ceylon(Peradeniya) in 1964 and earned a B.Sc Honours degree in Chemistry in 1968. Prof Dissanayake then worked as an Assistant Lecturer in Chemistry and later joined the Department of Geology. In 1971, he had the distinction of being the first student ever to obtain a First Class Honours in Geology at the B.Sc Special Degree Examination of the University of Ceylon.

Prof Dissanayake later became the Head and an Emeritus Professor of the Department of Geology of the University of Peradeniya and a teacher of many of the earth scientists in Sri Lanka.For his outstanding contributions to research in environmental geology and geochemistry, he was awarded a D.Sc. from Oxford University. This is the highest rated science degree offered by the Oxford University. In Apri 1998, the President of Sri Lanka, H.E Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunge awarded him the Vidya Jyothi the highest National Award for Science in Sri Lanka,

In November 1991, Prof Dissanayake was appointed to the post of Director of the Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka, succeeding Prof Cyril Ponnamperuma. He continued in this position till January 1996. In May 2009, he assumed duties once again as the Director of the Institute until September 2015 .

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany awarded the prestigious Humboldt Fellowship to Prof Dissanayake on two occasions. He was awarded the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree in 2009,  by the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

“Prof Dissanayake is a brilliant teacher and an articulate speaker who can stun any audience with his meticulous and careful use of the language and methodical revelations of scientific facts.”

-L.R.K.Perera (Senior Lecturer-University of Peradeniya)

Prof Dissanayake has been the President of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka, President of Alliance Francaise de Kandy and President of the Lion’s Club, Kandy. He has published over 175 research papers in reputed international journals, 5 books, over 100 research communications and has edited 4 books. Besides his scientific activities, he has considerable interests in the area of popularization of science and has written several articles and delivered many public lectures on topics of scientific interest.