Second Doctorate for Sinhala Literary Lion Prof Sunil Ariyaratne

Much acclaimed 64-year-old scholar of the Arts to research and write on rare Tamil Buddhists in India

The University of Sri Jayawardenapura conferred Prof Sunil Ariyaratne with his second ‘Doctor of Literature’ honorary Degree, on Thursday at the BMICH.

Prof Ariyaratne who is a senior Professor of Sinhala Language and Mass Media in the Communication Faculty at Sri Jayawardenapura University, received his first ‘Doctor of Literature’ Degree in 2011, from the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Even though Doctorate areas only awarded to retired university lecturers, for their outstanding contribution to their subject, Prof Ariyaratne was the first to receive it while still teaching.

While a university professor, he is also a renowned poet, lyricist, film director and researcher. His work is acclaimed in national and international fora, and the Education Times had the honour of meeting up with the professor just before receiving his second Doctorate of Literature.

Fourth in a family of six, young Sunil Ariyaratne grew up in Nugegoda. He received his education at St. Johns College, Nugegoda, where he was inspired by several of his teachers.

“I can say that the school led me to various literary works. I was inspired by my school teachers and my elder brother Tilakaratne Kuruwita Bandara, who composed many poems and songs, and even had them published in newspapers. I think it is his work that gradually paved my path to the literary work,” he said.

Young Sunil Ariyaratne who was passionate towards Sinhala Literature and Art, published his first collection of short stories, ‘Ahinsakayo’, at age 11. He was only 15 years, when he won

acclaim as a lyri- cist for his popular song, ‘Sakura Mal Pipila’.

University life encouraged and motivated the determined Sunil Ariyaratne, to continue his work.

“I specialised in Sinhala and received a First Class Honours. While in campus, I made my first short film, ‘Sara Gee’ (Sensuality) in 1970. The 10-minute 35mm film taught me film making. Then, in 1978, I made my first full length feature film ‘Anupama’, and before its release four years later, I directed 10 other films,” he said, explaining that, this was a record in Sri Lanka, where a person directed 10 films, before his first was released. He then joined the University of Kelaniya as an Assistant Lecturer and later went to Jaffna University where he served in the Sinhala Dept along with the Head of the Dept Prof Sucharitha Gamlath and Lecturer, Dharmasena Pathiraja. “It was very interesting there. We were given bicycles for our daily travel to the University. Since Prof Gamlath and I were unsteady riding cycles, Mr Pathiraja rode his with the two of us on either side. We traveled like this almost every day. To make university life harmonious and foster better understanding among the students, Sinhala students were made to study Tamil language and vice versa. However, this system was short lived, because of the conflict that rose between the Tamil and Sinhala communities, which ultimately resulted in us leaving the institute,” he said.

The students and lecturers were put into Ruhuna and Kelaniya universities to further pursue their education.

Prof Ariyaratne also engaged in extensive research. He says that, even though Sri Lanka is rich in Literature, very fewer research has been done. “My research book on Baila and Kapiringna, published in 1985, won the State Literary Award, while another such research publicatio on the Gramophone Era, also won the same award in 1986.

He also wrote a book on 10 acclaimed musicians in our country. The book titled ‘Gandharwa Apadhana’ features musicians and lyricists such as R. Muththusami, M.K. Rocksami, Mohammed Ghouse and Mohammed Sali.

When he spoke of his Literary work and the awards they won, what stood out was his reference to Tamil Buddhism. When asked to elaborate on this, he said that, when he was in Jaffna and Tamil Nadu, he understood that there was a Buddhism known as Tamil Buddhism.

“They are a very rare community which still exists in some parts of India. The monks who follow Tamil Buddhism preach and recite stanzas in Tamil. I thought it would be great to write a book about them,” he said.

Prof Ariyaratne who is now 64-years-old, and due to retire next year as a senior lecturer, however, hopes to continue with his work.