Veteran Diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala passes away

Sri Lankan diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala passed away today (May 27) at the age of 85 while receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital.
The Director of the Kandy National Hospital confirmed that the former diplomat had passed away after suffering a heart attack.
Jayantha Dhanapala was the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for the Office for Disarmament Affairs from 1998 to 2003.
He was Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States from 1995 to 1997.
He has received many international awards and honorary doctorates, and has published five books and several articles in international journals and lectured widely.
Dhanapala also engaged pro-actively and innovatively in political, disarmament, economic, trade, human rights and cultural matters in both bilateral and multilateral contexts.
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka grants government employees leave on Wednesdays amid fuel shortage March 16, 2026
- Sri Lanka Navy seizes 123kg of heroin worth Rs. 3 Billion on trawler March 16, 2026
- Sri Lanka prioritises ambulances in fuel distribution March 16, 2026
- Sri Lanka Police warn of legal action over QR fuel system misuse March 16, 2026
- Sri Lanka moves to protect essential services amid Middle East war fears March 15, 2026


A great Sri Lankan scholar who gave a good name and reputation to Sri Lanka.
May he attain a supreme bliss of Nibbhana.
One of Sri Lanka’s best Career Diplomat. Once narrowly missed becoming the UN Secretary General. May he attain Nibbana.