75th anniversary of Peradeniya University: Reminiscences of pioneering days
October 6, 2017 marked the Seventy- fifth anniversary Diamond Jubilee of the University of Peradeniya. Although the University of Ceylon itself was established on June 1, 1942, the first move to Peradeniya was made only in 1950 with just a few students comprising the Law and Agriculture Faculties and occupying Arunachalam Hall. Among them were students such as John de Saram, Felix Dias, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Ana Seneviratne, Kapukotuwa, K. Shinya, R. K. W. Gunasekera and Vijaya Vidyasagara, among others, all of whom subsequently became reputed citizens of the country.
However, the first major transfer took place on October 6, 1952 when 820 students of the Faculties of Arts and Oriental Studies went into residence. Officially, it was again opened on April 20, 1954 by the Duke of Edinburgh in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II when he declared it “more open than usual”.
The University of Ceylon, Peradeniya as it was then called, was Sir Ivor Jennings' dream come true, to the realisation of which he had devoted most of his effort, energy and time. His vision was to establish a residential university on the lines of Oxford and Cambridge on the majestic Peradeniya site. The picturesque surroundings amidst mist laced mountains and cool breezes, the streams and brooks that abounded, the green lush vegetation, the Mahaveli river and Hantane slopes provided an ideal setting for the grandeur of the wonderful campus. It was the setting for the majestic buildings in ancient Kandyan architectural style, the brainchild of the chief architect Shirley de Alwis in liaison with Sir Ivor who selected the flowering trees and shrubs with care with an emphasis on the blending of colour. To quote his, words “There is not the slightest doubt that if the university is worthy of its location it will be one of the finest small universities in the world” (“Road to Peradeniya,” Sri Ivor’s autobiography, p.183).
It is not easy to go down memory lane for 75 years but the memories of those early years at the Peradeniya campus from its inception, bring back nostalgia of the days gone by, years that for most of us pioneer students were undoubtedly some of the best years of our lives.
One can still recall the suppressed excitement, hustle and bustle, the nervousness and expectations of the students and also the authorities in preparing for the historic shift from the Colombo campus to Peradeniya. Sir Ivor had prepared a special set of notes and instructions distributed to all students on the shift, giving details of the Peradeniya climate, the conditions to be expected, the modalities of the shift, transportation and I remember even the type of clothing recommended to be taken.
Some of the students found their way to Peradeniya on their own but for most of the students, the authorities had arranged a special train from Colombo Fort to New Peradeniya station. It was on this famous decorated train that most of the students embarked to Peradeniya and at the New Peradeniya station, it was amidst damp weather, all chaos with loads and loads of luggage and male and female students (quite a few of whom had by this time found their future life mates), all agog as the vans for transportation were found insufficient and out of schedule.
They were transported to the four Halls o f Residence for men- Marrs, Arunachalam, Jayatilaka and Peiris and the one Hall for women, the Hilda Obeysekera Hall (the Walled –off-Astoria) under the Wardenship of “Mathi” ( Miss. K. Malthiaparanam, lecturer in Philosophy). Later added were Sanghamitta and Ramanathan Halls.
Finally, after settling down when it was thought that things were going smoothly, all hell broke loose again. It was found that the kitchens were fitted with the most up-to-date electric equipment. In many new Halls, the gadgets were not working properly or the new kitchen staff were ignorant or unable to operate them. Sir Ivor, the Vice Chancellor had had a hectic day rushing from one Hall to the other to see how things were going and giving hectic orders -- but poor man, this was too much even for him.
I remember that at Marrs Hall the Steward who was in charge and responsible for preparing meals and serving them at the tables, was in a real quandry. Mr. Karunaratna, the Hall Steward, happened to be an ex-Buddhist monk who attempted to compensate for his completely bald head by trying to cultivate, rather unsuccessfully, a ferocious looking (in his opinion) moustache. This did not deter the hungry students of the Hall from their usual hoots and all of us had to go to the Peradeniya town to have our meals till the kitchen was made operational which was, I believe, a day or two later.
Those were the halcyon days of the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. Studded with eminent academic staff under the Vice Chancellorship of Sir Ivor Jennings, himself an internationally reputed scholar from Cambridge, all were brilliant academicians. These included Prof. E.F.C. Ludowyke (“Ludo” of Dramsoc fame), Dr. H.A. Passe and Doric de Souza (English); Prof. G. P.M al ala se kara( Pali); Dr. Ediriweera Sarachchandra ( of “Maname” fame); Prof. Hettiarachchi, Dr. Ananda Kulasuriya & Dr. P.E. Fernando (Sinhalese); Prof. O.H. de Wejesekere and Dr. Jayadeva Tilakasiri (Sanskrit); Prof. J.L.C. Rodrigo (Classics-“Rodda” to the students) and George Wickremanayaka (“Wicks” – Classics); Prof. W.J.C. Labrooy (“Labby”), G. C. Men di sand Fr. Pin to (History); Prof. Nadaraja (“Nada”) and Raja Goonasekera (Law);. F.R. Jayasuriya (FR ), Dr. H. A. de S. Gunasekara (“Hades”), G. V. S. de Silva( GVS), S. Raj ar atnam (“Tawney ”), Ian Vandendriesen (“Vandy”), Dr. A.D.V.D.S. Indraratna (“In- the- Rush”), all of the Economics Department; Dr. I. D. S. Weer award en a (“Polweera” Political Theory ); Dr. A. J. Wilson, Ralph Peiris ( Sociology); Dr. K. N. Jayathilaka, Dr. Sarkar and Miss. K. Mathiaparanam (Philosophy); Prof. Kanapathipillai & Dr. Vidyananthan (Tamil); Prof. Kularatna and George Thambiahpilai (Geography) to name only a few. They also included the affable H.J. Balmond as registrar and the erudite Ian Goonatilleke as librarian. Academically the university at that time could hold its own among some of the best universities in the world.
In 1952- 53, as pioneers, the senior students had the privilege of being entitled to single room accommodation with all modern facilities – a far cry from what it turned out to be decades later and is today. The halls of residence were run efficiently, the kitchens well equipped with trained staff, the food good, the selective purchasing of food items done by the University Supplies Organisation under Harry Goonatilleke.
Health was looked after by the University Medical Officer Dr. C. E. S. Weeratunga. Discipline in the campus was the responsibility of the University Marshals with Fred de Saram as Chief Marshal assisted by Bobby Jayaweera, Derek Raymond, R. Boulton and R.P. de Alwis. Sports flourished under the supervision of G. Brant Little (Con-Olittle) a former Canadian Olympic athlete as Director of Physical Education. Students were organised under the main Union Society and separate General Committees for each Hall.
The president of the first Peradeniya Union Society was Herbert Cooray with (if I remember right) the writer as the treasurer as well as being the first treasurer of the Marrs Hall General Committee whose first president was Peter Gunawardena and Secretary, Mahinda Karunaratna. Ragging of freshers was unlike today, relatively mild and tolerable and fun for both “honourable” seniors and freshers alike.
Apart from academic activities such as attending lectures and tutorials, reading and library work, were a host of other social, religious and even political related activities as well. They were enriched by the multi- ethnic and multi- cultural composition of the students at the time with the easy- going camaraderie and fellowship in the student community and culture of oneness that radiated in Peradeniya in those pioneering days.
In the field of sports, one remembers the cricketing giants Maurice Wanigaratne, T. Vairavanathan and Derrick Mack; the latter and K. Ariachandran in tennis, in hockey, Rutnam Swami and Archie Jayasekara; in rugby, Bertie Dias, Tara Amarasingham, and C. T. Jansz; boxing, Upali Abeywaradena Merlin Peiris, Alex Perera, Vas Gunawardana apart from Mervyn Casie Chetty who I remember dared to face “Gunboat Jack” the American Olympic boxing champ in an exhibition bout in the campus Boxing ring; in Athletics, A.R.M. Perera and C.S. Fernando while the two fastest women in the campus (I mean on the track) were Kshanti Siriwardena and Joyce Samarasinghe among others such as Padmini Silva.
One also recalls the cross-country race, an innovation of the Vice-Chancellor Sir Ivor, from Peradeniya to Geli Oya and back (a distance of over 7 miles) open to both students and the staff and won by D. M. de Alwis with A. Imbuldeniya of Arunachalam Hall coming second. One has also memories of the rather cranky George Wicks the Classics lecturer who, to show his prowess, also took part in the cross-country race being chased in the opposite direction by irate water buffaloes as he ran across the bunds of the paddy fields in Geli Oya.
The varied interests and acumen of the students were reflected in the various societies that existed such as the famous Dramsoc under Prof. Ludowyke, the Music Society led by Richard Peiris, P.M.D. Fernando and Inthiran Chelvathurai, the University Singers Choir under Robin Mayhead, the Historical Society under S. D. Saparamadu, the Social Service League, the Socialist Society and Societies catering to the different religious groups such as the S. C. M. under Kenneth Fernando, the Muslim Majlis etc. There was also the Travel Club which was responsible for many of our trips around the country, not however responsible for the Hantane trips popular with some romantic groups.
One also recalls other notable events in the field of drama at this time such as the Austrian director Jubal producing the “Insect Play” and Dr. Sarachchandra producing the historic “Maname” with its numerous rehearsals which we used to watch.
The pioneer University also was a big draw for VIP visitors and one recalls the visits in 1954 of Vijayalakshmi Pandit, the then President of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala, popular Indian movie stars like Raj Kapoor and Nargis, and the MRA delegation from Switzerland among others. Many prominent political personalities also gave talks from time to time including Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, Dudley Senanayake, A.M.K. Coomaraswamy, Tissa Wijeratne, Dr. N.M. Perera, Dr. Colvin R.de Silva, Philip Gunawardena and Pieter Kueneman among others.
The pioneer days of the Peradeniya University were undoubtedly pleasant ones. Memories crowd but space does not permit me to pen all these. One recalls apart from the academic work such as lectures, tutorials and library work etc. sports, dramas, films and other social events; for the romantic types “pillaring”, walks down Lover’s Lane, the Kissing Bend, Hantane climbs and so on. One can also recall the songs, banter and wit, the High Table dinners when outside speakers usually gave speeches. The relationship between staff and students was excellent. Such rapport (not undue familiarity) led to a wholesome unwritten code of discipline which none normally transgressed. In this context one recalls for instance in Marrs Hall, Dr. Passe the Warden inviting groups of students to dinner periodically at his home on Sanghamitta Hill, to get to know us better personally.
It was in those days generally a carefree life in idyllic surroundings far from the harsh reality of life outside which confronts one with a jolt when the final exams are over and one lands again on hard ground outside the paradise. As Lakshman Kadirgamar when Foreign Minister once stated, “the days at Peradeniya were probably the best days of my life as it laid the foundation for subsequent achievements”.
Amidst all this, one cannot forget in the background the presence and personality of the Vice Chancellor, Sir Ivor. One always recalls his finesse, principles and gentlemanliness in all the dealings we had with him. In his office he always listened to us whether he agreed with us or not and while being firm with his decisions, they were articulated with politeness. He was a hard smoker and had his evening tot as usual and one remembers his evening walks with his walking stick and when meeting a student never failing to say “Good Evening” to him. In January 1955 Sir Ivor bade farewell to the University to take up an appointment as Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. It was a sad occasion and one remembers all the students lined up on the campus road from the Lodge onward as Sir Ivor drove along it for the last time in his old Vauxhall Wyvern EL 3489 preceded by a motor cycle escort of students led by Willie (Bada) Perera, A.P. Ranatunga and Bandula (Balu) Silva on their motorbikes.
As far as the students of the pioneer 1952-53 batch are concerned some of the names that come to mind are as follows. The male students apart from those already mentioned earlier, included the following; Merlin Peiris, Hitler Peiris, Gananath Obeysekara, K. M.de Silva, Gunadasa Amerasekara, Upali Salgado, Edward Gunawardena, Gaston Perera, Anton Dahanayake, Evan Melder, Fred Abeysekara, A.C. Vadivel, Harsha Gunaratna, S. Suriyagoda, S. Vamadevan, R. Sunderalingam, Ernest Perera, Emille Wijewantha, Peter Perera, E.R.P. Suriapperuma, Neville Jayaweera, P.H. Premawardana, Victor Gunasekara, Ridgeway Tillekeratne, A.B. Elkaduwa, Lakdasa Hulugalle, Ernest Corea, Mervyn de Silva, C.S. Fernando, Buddhadasa Hawavitarana, I.K. Weerawardena, Lal Jayawardena, Nimal Karunatilake, Sydney Wanasinghe, Charlie Mahendran, Nimalasiri Silva, Stanley Kirinde, Christie Gunawardena, Bandu Jayawardena, S. Sigera, S. Weeratunga, V.K.B. Ramanayake, Frank Wickremesingh, D.G. Bandula Silva, the Jayawickrema brothers, J. Madugalla, Justin Jayasuriya, Nalin Mendis, among a number of others that one cannot readily recall now after 75 years.
Among the female students of that pioneering batch that come to mind, apart from those mentioned above in respect of earlier activities, include the following: Kusuma Dias, Tressie Pietersz, Jeanne Wijeratne, Annette Fernando, Sita Perera, Rosabelle Mendis, Verna Jacotine, Lalitha Adhihetty, Rupa Wickremesinghe, Dorothy de Saram, The Ellepolla Sisters Ranjini, Savithri, Damayanti, Gnani Pelpola, S. Ariacutty, Soleshana Rajaratnam, Kasturi Singhama and Rukmani Nadaraja to mention only a few that one recalls now.
Most of the above pioneer students ended up in the top echelons of the Public Service and various government departments -- the Civil Service, Foreign Service, Armed Services and Police, the Judiciary while several joined the Central Bank, the University staff and the mercantile sector. A few ended up as members of Parliament and even as Cabinet Ministers while quite a number also joined various international organisations.
However, unfortunately, most of the old batch pioneer students are presently no more having passed away in the course of time and relatively only a few are still left in the Departure Lounge. Of the old time professors and lecturers, too, almost all of them are no more except a few such as V.K. Wickramesinghe whom I met recently and perhaps a few others. I believe with the demise recently of Prof. Indraratna, the only old professor who is still there and whom I recently visited and paid my respects to, is Prof. Jayadeva Tilakasiri (Sanskrit) who at 96-98 years is quite feeble and is looked after at a pri- vate home for the aged in Panadura.
In retrospect, university life comprised days of achievement and delight. We had unobtrusively acquired sound core values which have stood us in good stead in the mundane humdrum world to which we are all relegated in the mould of convention. The annual “Going Down Dinner” initiated by Sir Ivor signified this dramatic change that would occur in our lives. All in all however, “Peradeniya” has done well and the country has been enriched with the great diversity of the talent of her Fellows.
(The writer a student of the pioneer 1952 batch is a former Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Secretary of the 1990 Presidential Taxation Commission, Past President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation and currently Patron of the Marrs Hall Alumni Association.)