Hantane Paradise in the university life

M.K.S. Kumarage

The origin of University education extends far back to the 3rd quarter of the 19th Century. The University educational system in Sri Lanka hence begins with establishment of Ceylon Medical College in 1870 and establishment of Ceylon University College in 1921. They were affiliated to the University of London for examination purpose on external basis. It is prudent to be knowledgeable of history of University Education in this country, in the context of expanded academic atmosphere in catering for national needs of the country.

The first University in Sri Lanka was formed in 1942 as University of Ceylon in Colombo, traditionally a British type, Oxbridge pattern, of University with autonomy and unitary status.

Late Sir Ivor Jennings was the 1st Vice Chancellor, who continued for three unprecedented terms as Vice Chancellor. He was the founder of the University system in this country and was responsible for drafting the 1947 constitution for independence for Ceylon with late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake. The University of Ceylon then established in Colombo was later shifted to Peradeniya in 1953. The seat of the University was selected to be at the University of Peradeniya and the master plan was prepared in 1940-1950. This was delayed due to 2nd World War: However, the University took its full share in transforming into a fully fledged University status with increased number of admissions and change of media of instructions.

My memories go back as far as 1968 in which year I was enroled as a student to the prestigious University of Ceylon, at Peradeniya. I was given hostel facilities at the Marcus Fernando Hall, which was situated at a hillock in the lower regions of the Hantane range. I was fortunate to spend my entire University life in the same hostel except for a short spell at Rajawatha and Hilda Obeysekera Hall. We had a mixed population of students from all parts of the Island, including a good number from the North and South.

I did not see much of a difference in the environment of the surroundings of the Marcus Fernando Hall from that of my home place, since I came from a village situated in the extreme interior part of the Galle district. My village is situated between two streams from the virgin forest of Sinharaja and just above the river Ging ganga. I was one of the fortunate, who had the opportunity of enjoying from childhood the interior of Sinharaja, its environment of inherited wild-life including wild elephants, leopards several kinds of reptiles, birds and butterflies. I have also seen the untamed super structure of the natural rain forest undergrowth in Sinharaja which is a unique style of forestry incomparable to any other forests in the country.

Living in Marcus Fernando Hall with the jungle behind, had become the place of our normal living in the University. We also had made many expeditions to the Hantane ranges in the first year itself, not through the roads prevalent, but through the foot paths and streams. The forestry and the natural environment that we found in Hantane, although not comparable to Sinharaja, had similar features which we observed in these expeditions in the Hantane range.

Moreover taking a dip in the Hall pool was not something sufficient for me, because of my experience in the Gin ganga and other streams of Sigharaja, and I found either Maha-Oya or the natural resources convincing to some extent. We also had a particular mission to do during those days, which was to take our colleagues from the North and Colombo to experience the pleasing nature of the Hantane range.

Although and illustrated explanation in a Geographical point of view is not possible within my knowledge, I may indicate that the establishment of the University and expansion of the Hantane Valley, made Hantane a unique and a very important place of interest which needs high priority for protection. This factor had been recognized since the time the University of Ceylon was shifted to Peradeniya in late 1940s and early 1950s.

As a university student, it had been a tradition to climb Hantane and in particular during our time it was a chivalrous event to spend a night or two in the upper Hantane range, either in a hut or cave. During my stay in the University, I have had participated in about four occasions in these excursions, which were very enthusiastic and pleasant. We were able to collect our food provisions liberally from the hostel for these expeditions. During our excursions a upper Hantane, we have enjoyed the sight of streams connecting Maha-Oya and the crystal clear water. It is rueful to note that now these streams are polluted to a great extent and are mostly dried.

My memory goes to an event which took place in 1969, when the students had clashes with the soldiers of the Ceylon Army, who were given accommodation at the Gymnasium for the Independence celebrations on the February 4, 1969. The student community fought the Army on a specific issue, until the Army left the University. The male students gathered at the Marcus Fernando Hall whilst the girls at the Ramanathan Hall. We were then protected, from the soldiers who invaded the Wijewardane Hall and several other places, but did not come to Marcus Fernando Hall, which had only one route through lower Hantane forest and well protected by the nature.

The existence of the Hantane Valley, its environment and its natural surroundings were disturbed, due to the expansion of the University activities, namely farms in the middle range, and unauthorized living who were displaced from the University lands and given accommodation at the boundary of Hantane, in Mawala and Pudhi Katuwa.

The SLBC which was in existence for more than 30 years in Hantane, for the Senkadagala Transmission have now left the area leaving only a University guest house which was then the residence of a planter of the Hantane Estate. A few more houses left behind by SLBC now belong to the University.

It is a common sight now at Upper Hantane, where a normal leopard (Panthere pardus) possibly an animal of 3-5 years old fairly built, roaming in the area. The University has now taken a decision to make a wildlife sanctuary in the Upper Hantane range in the University territory to protect the wildlife in the jungle, the streams and to stop the constant fire set for the purpose of hunting wildlife.

However, nothing has changed in the Marcus Fernando Hall since then, but most of the changes have taken place in the surroundings, due to the disastrous Pine trees which have been planted and overgrown destroying the under growth, thereby making living difficult for the inherited wild life such as Hawas (Hare: Lepus nigricollis), Meeminnas (Mouse Deer: Traguleus meminna), Iththewas (Porcupine: Hystrix Indica) , Walimuwas (Barking deer, Muntiacus muntjak) and several others of that nature.

One would have very pleasant memories of life in the Hantane range and I certainly agree that the present community is trying to protect Hantane, from various natural and other disasters in order that the environment the University had 40 years ago, could be preserved and protected for the future generations coming to this global place.

The writer is formerly University of Peradeniya and Coconut Development Authority and presently a Management Consultant to a Foreign Mission.