Revolutionary professor in Sinhala and Sociology

Rohana WANSATILAKA

Professor Nandasena Ratnapala was undoubtedly the most distinguished and versatile scholar of the last century, in Sri Lanka. He rendered a distinct service to enrich the fields of Sinhala literature and sociology.

He was born on 19 May, 1935, at a remote village named Kurukude in Bandarawela. Ratnapala’s father was the head master of Kurukude school and mother was a teacher in the same school. Including father and mother, there were eight members in his family.

Professor Nandasena Ratnapala

Ratnapala was the eldest of the family. The student Ratnapala had his primary education at Kurukude government school. He was fortunate enough to read all the books which were in the library of the school.

Outstanding skills

Later, Ratnapala entered St John’s College in Panadura for secondary education. Finally, he was admitted to Royal College in Colombo, where he excelled.

In 1955, this talented student got through the university examination distinctively. Ratnapala entered the Peradeniya University in 1955. He showed outstanding skills among other students in the university. Ratnapala won the gold medal for best speaker.

In addition, he obtained an award for best short story named ‘Balal Powla’. Young Ratnapala held the chairmanship of Buddhist Brotherhood Association, when he was studying at the university.

Ratnapala followed a Sinhala special degree course. Finally, this skilled student obtained his degree with a second upper division.

In 1959, Young Ratnapala was recruited as an assistant lecturer at the Sinhala department of Peradeniya University. A few months later, he joined the Vidyodaya University as a Sinhala lecturer.

This young lecturer was appointed as the head of modern Sinhala section. Ratnapala rendered a yeoman service for the betterment of modern Sinhala section.

This section became very popular among students during 1960-1963 due to his unabating effort and unfoiled courage. However, some antagonists both inside and outside of the university emerged against Ratnapala’s role.

As a result of these bad strategies, modern Sinhala section was closed unexpectedly. Young Ratnapala was so sad and disappointed. Finally, he decided to go to Germany to read for his doctorate.

In 1963, he embarked to Germany. By now, he had obtained MA degree from Peradeniya University.

In 1966, Dr Ratnapala arrived in Sri Lanka and served in Sinhala section for a short period. However, in 1972, he was attached to the Sociology and Anthropology department.

Within a short period of time, he rendered a great service for betterment of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology also.

This article expects to discuss the service done by Ratnapala for the field of Sinhala literature briefly. This talented professor has evinced capabilities on writing short stories.

Critical works

He has done a considerable service for promotion of Sinhala short stories. He published three collections of short stories named ‘Noliyoo Pota’, ‘Ridee Pooru’, and ‘Aids saha Tawat Kataa’. The short critical book ‘Ketikataa Vichaara Mooladarma’ written by Ratnapala has contributed to uplift Sinhala literary criticism. This book was published when he was twenty-six years old.

Professor Ratnapala has done much for the improvement of Sinhala novels. His first novel named ‘Nodanimi Kaage Dosaa’ was publicized in 1972. Later, he wrote several novels such as Udaa Hiru, Ahasa Kadaawettei, Jaya Sri Ematitumani, Simon Baas Saha Birindewaru and Evilena Gini Del.

These novels reflects the modern society, with a satiric style. Professor Ratnapala has written three poetry books for progress of Sinhala poetic field. His first collection of poetry named ‘Maranin Ehaa’ was published in 1960.

Later in 1973, Ratnapala wrote the book named ‘Anthraawai’. His last collection of poetry named ‘Kalawaane Sita Liyoo Kavi’ has not been publicized yet.

This professor has done a great service to uplift Sinhala literary criticism also.

The magazine ‘Grantha Vichaara’ could be considered as an important critical book. A few of his literary critical books are ‘Sinhala Padya Vichaaraya’, and ‘Kunkuma Chandana’.

This erudite writer wrote many books in terms of the syllabus prescribed for GCE (O/L) and GCE (A/L). This role done by Ratnapala helped the students of schools to widen their knowledge and to enhance their skills.

Although Ratnapala did a valuable and immortal service to develop Sinhala literature, Sinhala language, Sociology, Anthropology, Folklore and Criminology, he was unable to get rid of death.

This versatile scholar passed away on August 7, 2007.