Tissa Kariyawasam graduated with honours from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya at age 22 in 1964 and joined the university staff soon after. His biography has been a significant part of the history of our university system in the second half of the 20th century.

 

Professor Kariyawasam has been a prolific writer. He has published more than 50 books including a definitive four-volume study on the History of Sinhala Drama from 1867 to 1956. His 10 books on Mass Communication have provided the basic textbooks to students reading journalism in the Sinhala medium.