Attention to mind and matter, key to a healthy student

Speech delivered by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka at the Visakha Colours Night, on August 4 at Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo.

I feel more than somewhat odd to be talking in a foreign language to a Sinhala Buddhist audience at a Sinhala Buddhist school. But I was informed that the proceedings would be conducted in English. So I must comply. Fortunately (as far as this occasion is concerned) I was educated at a time when the official langauge was English, and the medium of instruction even at the Sinhala Buddhist school I attended - Ananda Vidyalaya - was English.

It seems peculiar that the Prime Minister of the free Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka should be speaking in the langauge of our former foreign rulers at a place such as this, more than 60 years after this country ceased to be a colony of the British Empire.

Whatever the reasons may be, I am pleased to be here and I feel honoured to have been chosen to be the Chief Guest at an important event at this very prestigious school.

Visakha is the name that comes to mind immediately when one thinks of a leading Buddhist girls’ school.

Visakha has earned that distinction not only because of her scholastic achievements, as evidenced by a sustained record of continued excellence in examination results, but also because of her performance in the field of sports, as we witness today at this Colours Night Awards Ceremony.

The triumph of mind over matter might produce an academic or a philosopher, but attention to both mind and matter would produce the healthy student. Sports do play an important role in moulding the character of students.

Many visionary principals and dedicated teachers have over the years contributed to the reputation that Visakha enjoys today as a prestigious school that produces not only impressive examination results but also notable sportswomen; a combination that goes to make worthy citizens.

Visakha Vidyalaya was founded in 1917, at a time when Buddhist schools were not in favour with the ruling establishment. This lack of official patronage did not, however, deter the Buddhist patriots who had decided that Buddhist girls too must have a prestigious school. So Visakha was born.

And it has grown in strength over the years to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best schools this country can boast of. At the time it began, a foreign power was still ruling our country, and only Christian Missionary schools received patronage and found favour. At that time, to establish a Buddhist school the Buddhists themselves had to donate the land and contribute the funds to build and maintain the school.

The State did nothing to help. But by now the Buddhists were slowly awakening as a result of the exhortations of patriots such as Anagarika Dharmapala, and some of the wealthy among them rallied to the Buddhist cause.

This class largely collaborated with the white imperialists and therefore the ones who helped Visakha should be remembered with gratitude. Ananda Vidyalaya too had a similar genesis, but somewhat earlier. And in the case of Ananda, it was not only the Sinhala Buddhist patriots but also an American theosophist, who became a Buddhist, who contributed to the cause.

Well, all these beginnings were before anyone of you ere born. It was a time when Buddhists were effectively relegated to the position of second class citizens in their own country. You are privileged to be living today, in a free country where your language and your religion occupy their due place, you are heirs to a rich cultural heritage going back in recorded history to two thousand five hundred years.

The students who won awards today represent the next generation that will take over the custody of this nation. I represent the generation that will be departing. We have done our bit for our country. It will be your turn next to do your duty, to safeguard your heritage.

I congratulate all those students who have won awards and certificates of merit today, and I wish Visakha Vidyalaya continued success in all her fields of activity.