Archives

by Carl Muller

"This," said Professor Ashley Halpe, is an integral part of the University and University education. It is also part of the original vision of the University's founding fathers."

He was talking to a large audience, of the proposed Ian and Roslin Goonetileke Gallery and Museum of Contemporary Art to soon become a proud structure of the University of Peradeniya. As we already know, this building, planned by Ashley de Vos, is to rise in modular form on a slope above Jayatilaka Hall.

To begin with, module one required Rs. 2 million, and the special ceremony called by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kapila Gunasekera, and the Alumni Association of the University Peradeniya (AAUP) on Sunday, August 29, was to initiate the first stage of the project.

The stage was set, the players gathered, the speakers cleared their throats. A big day indeed, a big step forward, for the Rs. 2 million needed to begin and complete module one was "in the bag".

Among those present was the Governor of the Central Province, Monty Gopallawa, Minister of Finance, Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Vocational Training, Piyasena Gamage, Ashley de Vos, the president of the AAUP Colombo Chapter, C.W. Jayasekera, The Vice Chancellor, Professor Halpe and most important, Mr. Bandula Weerawardene. Allow me to introduce him a little later, please.

As the Governor of the Central province said, there has never been a real art gallery and Museum in Kandy as was now envisaged by the University. He said he would gear the Central Provincial Council to gather more donations and make Kandy proud of what would surely be a cultural centre of immense potential.

Certainly, things had begun to look up, and the air was filled with the most pleasant bonhomie as speaker after speaker rose to tell of the benefits of such a cultural centre and also regale us with tales of their own days in Peradeniya.

Minister Sarath Amunugama, in a more than cheerful mood, said that whereas the proposed gallery looked most pleasing and sufficiently large enough to house the magnificent donation made by the late Ian Goonetileke, he had already suggested expansion.

"you have a free hand to expand and make of this a truly imposing museum and gallery. Don't worry about cost. I promise the necessary money. You have my assurance. I will twist the arms of the private sector, the banks, see that the money rolls in..."

This was inspiring to be sure, even though a little thought niggled and was quickly suppressed. Of course, the money could be found, but in this straitened economic climate... oh well, the Minister promised, the Minister would deliver. Blessed be the name of the Minister! In any event, Mr. Amunugama is known to be a man of his world.

He also said something of more importance: The nucleus of the Gallery and museum would be the 160 Gorge Keyts presented given by the late Ian Goonetileke, Amunugama said he would also approach the government of India. Keyt spend much time in that country and many of his works remain there.

"I will persuade India to come in on this project - even a separate module housing Keyt's Indian connection. I am sure some of paintings could be donated or kept here on loan. Also, I will examine the possibility of funding by the Indian government".

This was heartily applauded. It held the promise of making this project something bigger in scope and also creating a big cultural bond between India and Sri Lanka.

Governor Monty Gopallawa also said that a particularly fine work of Keyts now hangs in the Cabinet Room in Colombo.

"It was from that painting that the Hansa Pootuwa stamp was created," he said, "and I shall ask whether this painting could be released to take its place in the Peradeniya Gallery."

Certainly, Ian Goonetileke's bequest has stirred mahy, and, as Ashley Halpe said in his "Elegy for Ian".

Your benefaction stuns with its munificence:

Keyts, Claessens, Ivan

Perieses; Gariels to nourish

Peradeniya's starved thousands;

Rare editions, papers,

letters from the great,

Princely gift no prince

has thought to make.

The moment then came for that all-important 'giving'. Bandula Weerawardene, on behalf of his brother Siripala Weerawardene and family, gave to Ashley Halpe a cheque for Rs. 2 million.

"That takes care of the first module," he said simply, and, self-effacing man, quickly retreated. Of course, it was decided to dedicate Module One to the Weerawardene family. There will be a handsome plaque but all that would come later. Now to the site, to give life to a dream....

At the site, on the slope above Jayatilaka Hall, immediately above the pond, the foundation stones were laid by the Governor, Ministers and other noteworthies and, of course, the man who, representing his brother and family, had given the project its first head of steam. It was such an informal event. Nothing portentous, nothing over-ceremonial.

Ian Goonetileke would have liked that. somehow, as I looked up at the tangle of trees, did I feel that something has moved out of the University Library to hover over the site? Surely, Ian was there, Even the clouds stopped to smile.

www.ceylincoproperties.com

www.Pathmaconstruction.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager