University Of Peradeniya: Utopia Never Lost – A Reply
By P. Soma Palan – February 6, 2018
I refer to the Article titled “University Of Peradeniya: Utopia Never Lost” by R.P. Gunawardena (RPG) in Colombo Telegraph on 25th January. I unreservedly agree with him that the “1950s era is the best period” of this University. Yes, the 1950s is undoubtedly the halcyon era of the University. But this University in its original name, the University of Ceylon, which was the only one University in existence, was undoubtedly, an”Utopia” in its composite sense, then. But RPG’s view, that “the University of Peradeniya- Utopia Never Lost” cannot be accepted without qualifications. I agree by definition the word “Utopia” means an ideal, a perfect state. That is, where nature, academia and cultural and other associated element blend to form an Utopia. When you describe the University as an Utopia, it means it is an ideal, perfect state in all its composite elements. One cannot isolate one element only. That is, its salubrious clime, verdant landscape, its picturesque natural setting. The reference is to the University and not to its natural physical landscape. But then, a University is a composite whole, which gives it life and grandeur. Any transformation, primarily, in the student population, the quality of its Faculty members, recreational activities, and its traditions can either enhance or diminish the ideal/perfect state of the University. Therefore, it is questionable whether in its integrated whole, the University of Peradeniya, is a Utopia Never Lost. Barring its natural setting and beauty, the University, in my opinion, had undergone changes and it is a lost Utopia, not” Utopia never lost. R.P.G by the phrase “Utopia never lost” means, it still continues to exist. But the reality bellies this conclusion. The Utopian ideal has ‘lost’ itself, in all fronts, other than its physical landscape. The human factor and its activities have robbed its serenity, solemnity and aura.
I am fortunate to belong to the golden era of 1950s. I entered the University in 1959. All what is ‘lost’ can be known only by knowing what we had. The quality and high standard in every sector of its activities we had, during said period, have been lost, unless a conscious resurrection and redemption of its original ideal takes place. This gradual loss commenced from the year 1962, when the first batch of Swabasha educated students entered the University, in my final year. Progressively, the standards and quality deteriorated in all sectors of the University life. It is the harmonious blend of all other elements, reinforcing each other and with the beauty of its landscape, which gave the University its throbbing life and the Utopian atmosphere. Sans these associated elements, the University would be a mere lifeless geographical landscape and nothing more. The University of Peradeniya had lost its Utopian ideal in the following segments:
With the increase in the number of students entering the University, consequent to the Swabhasha medium , standards and quality of the students declined. In the 1950s English was the medium of instruction. Whatever said, an education in a foreign language as English, gave the students a sense of discipline and decorum, social refinements, unlike the native language. The students who entered the University in the 1950s, though through the English medium, were, however, drawn from all parts of the country and not confined to elite Colombo city Colleges only, but other outstation Colleges and the Maha Vidhalayas in the rural areas as well. They were all well mannered, disciplined and with social values. This proves that, what gave them the cultured behavior and character was the English language. Being a foreign language, students strived to live up to the standards of that language, whereas, the native language gave laxity in the use of the language. Secondly, the undergraduates of that era, did not have any discriminatory notions of race and religion. It was never in their minds. All considered themselves as one brotherhood of the nation. Thirdly, they were not politically motivated. Their interest in political ideology was primarily of an academic nature, either Trotskyism or Marxism or capitalism. The students were not actively and vociferously in Political Party politics. Each Hall of Residence had its Student Committees on matters of student welfare. The University as a whole had the Students Council to represent students’ interests with University Administration. In stark contrast to these, the post 1950 era saw the emergence of active Political Party politics and Students Unions, with the patronage of the Political Parties of the country, becoming aggressively engaging in agitations, being part of the Inter University Students Federation. Undergraduates’ Protests, Strikes and demonstrations to further political Party ends, became the norm. During the ‘50s, there were hardly any strikes, protests within and without the University Campus. Student Leaders were of a superior caliber. The Student Council President during my time was none other than the present Government Minister, Sarath Amunugama, who typified the then, gentlemanly class. The University lost that class of undergraduates. The University Campus is now painted with Red banners, posters, placards in every nook and corner and every majestic, flowering giant trees. These ugly and chaotic sights besmirched the Utopia, that was then, the Utopia was lost, and not the” Utopia, never lost”. That is how the serene and solemn atmosphere of the beautiful landscape lost its charm, by the human factor.
