Today we wish to remember and pay tribute to Dr Ashley Godwin Senarath-Dassanayake who passed away on 3rd August 1997, a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists UK, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and MBBS Sri Lanka who in his long and distinguished career in the medical profession served as the Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Castle Street Hospital and prior to that in Anuradhapura and Badulla during which period he rendered a major service to humanity and to expectant mothers. 

Dr Nalin Rodrigo had this to say in his address at the 50th Anniversary of the Castle Street Hospital. “My colleagues during my earlier years were the late Dr. Ashley Dassanayake who was the leading figure in Obstetrics at that time with an extensive practice who in his own words worked “round the clock”.

Dr Nalin Rodrigo had this to say in his address at the 50th Anniversary of the Castle Street Hospital. “My colleagues during my earlier years were the late Dr. Ashley Dassanayake who was the leading figure in Obstetrics at that time with an extensive practice who in his own words worked “round the clock”

Prof Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, Past President of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) based in London, United Kingdom, Professor Emeritus in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. George’s University of London declared open the photograph of Late Dr Ashley Dassanayake in 2017 at the Castle Street Hospital a matter many had forgotten which he personally revived and honoured him. He stated in his medical career at the Castle Street Hospital “while also learning the “fundamentals of obs and gyn” under Dr. Ashley Dassanayake whom he dubs “a fantastic teacher and trainer”.  

He was closely involved in Buddhist religious activities and many social activities in upgrading the facilities where he served in Anuradhapura, Badulla and Castle Street Hospital. He built the Buddha Statue at the Castle Street Hospital and the Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahathera declared open the statue and delivered the Anusasana. In Anuradhapura he was closely involved with Kaludiyapokuna and the Atasmasthanaya in Buddhist activities. He was also in the Temperance Movement and joined with Dr Nandadasa Kodagoda who was heading it.
He was Past President of the Lions Club of Badulla and later a member of the Colombo Host Lions Club and rendered many social activities combined with his medical profession.

Dr Ashley hails from the village of Katuwellagama in Divulapitiya in the Gampaha District and had his early education at Maristella College and later at S. Joseph’s College Colombo before entering Medical College. He is survived by his wife Dr Swineetha Dassanayake who served as a Government Medical Doctor and now in retirement.      

May he attain the Supreme 
Bliss of Nibbana.
Mrs Pearl Dassanayake New Zealand and All Members 
of the Family