Born in the village of Nakkawatta, on the outskirts of Kuliyapitiya, Professor E. M. Piyal Ekanayake received his primary education at Nakkawatta Maha Vidyalaya and the secondary education at Narammala Mayurapadha Central College. He later pursued undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Science of the University of Kelaniya, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematics. In 1987, he commenced his academic career as an Assistant Lecturer in Mathematics, receiving his first appointment from the University of Ruhuna. He subsequently completed both his Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Degrees at Kyushu University in Japan. In 1996, Professor Ekanayake joined the Faculty of Applied Sciences of the Wayamba Campus established at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Appointed Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the remarkably young age of 33, Professor Ekanayake served in this position for over sixteen years, dedicating himself to the advancement and institutional strengthening of both the Faculty and the University. During the one year period from late 2001 to 2002, he also pursued further scholarly training and gained experience by undertaking postdoctoral research studies at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Further, while serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, he played a pivotal role in developing the proposal for the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. His vision subsequently materialised in 2019 when, under his leadership as the Vice-Chancellor and with the guidance of Professor Mohan de Silva, then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, a fully-fledged Faculty of Medicine was established at Labuyaya Premises of the University.

During his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor from 2017 to 2020, Professor Ekanayake also initiated the Engineering Technology Degree Programmes and ensured the establishment of the Faculty of Technology at Wayamba University. Under his leadership, the Faculty evolved into a fully functional academic entity, marking a major milestone in the University’s expansion.

In 2015, he was promoted to the post of Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and in 2022, he rose to the position of Chair Professor at the same department.

As the 5^th Vice-Chancellor during his previous tenure from May 2017 to May 2020, Professor Ekanayake served as the Chief Executive Officer of the institution, providing leadership for all academic and financial operations of the University. He introduced efficient administrative and strategic management reforms and established a Strategic Management Planning Committee, which significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the University Council. Moreover, he fast- tracked several long-delayed infrastructure projects, strengthened internal audit mechanisms, convened productive consultations to resolve student grievances, and formulated By-laws to uphold student discipline. In addition, he restructured the disciplinary committee, introduced online mode to perform key administrative systems, and hosted the International Research Conference of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka in 2018. By the time he concluded his 3- year tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University in 2020, he had already laid the groundwork for establishing a Faculty of Engineering and commenced drafting a proposal for a Faculty of Postgraduate Studies.

During Professor Ekanayake’s tenure, the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council of the University Grants Commission awarded the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka a ‘B’ grade for its overall institutional performance. According to the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending 31^st of December 2019, the University received a ‘Qualified Opinion’ for its financial performance — an achievement not attained for many years and one for which the Vice-Chancellor was directly responsible. Professor Ekanayake also attended to the initial phase of implementing the Wayamba University Township Development Project, ensuring the effective execution of its major infrastructural components.

According to the Webometrics global university rankings, the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, which ranked 13^th among the Sri Lankan government universities in mid-2017, improved to 10th place by mid-2020. Internationally, the University advanced from 7,343^rd to 4,805^th place during this period a significant progress achieved during Professor Ekanayake’s previous tenure as the 5^th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

As of now, Professor Ekanayake has served the Sri Lankan university system for 38 years. On the 21^st of November 2025, he embarked on another tenure as the 8th Vice-Chancellor of the Wayamba University for a three-year term.