The Dons and the undergrads: reminiscences of the ’70s – Part II:

Teachers who were gentlemen to the core

Sumanadasa Kodituwakku

At the end of the ragging, there was an ‘oath’, followed by ‘forced ponding’ of the seniors and then a party. At the end of that party in 1972, some seniors of MF suggested that we should go to Sangamitta and Ramanathan. We - freshers enjoying the first rays of freedom in the middle of the night promptly agreed and went as a disorderly and noisy group. At both ladies’ halls, various slogans were shouted and some freshers - who wanted to show that they are ‘more forward’ than the others - broke some flower pots too. The incident was reported by the security. When the Sub-warden Mr. Silva and Dr Dharmasiri inspected room by room, almost all the freshers were fast asleep. A fine of Rs 3.00 was imposed for each fresher as a ‘fine for going out in the night” but the seniors escaped. Subsequently, Dr Ananda Wickramarathne - our Warden addressed us in the dining room. What I remember from his speech is “………….As freshers you should have been properly informed of the expected standard or code of conduct and ethics in a residential hall. As warden, I should have done that but I failed to do that. Therefore, I am liable to share the blame and take responsibility for this incident…………………”

Those were the teachers and those were the gentlemen!

Professors always wondered how to improve the students’ lot, as much as possible. Once we went on a trip to Sigiriya and Dr. Gunapala Dharmasiri accompanied us. He was fresh from his overseas studies. On the return journey, most of the students were speaking in Kaduwa. After watching this, Dr Dharmasiri very sincerely commented “It is a pity that these children do not study in English medium. They speak very fluent English”. Little he did realize that to do so, the students - and perhaps the lecturer as well - should be under the influence of some intoxicating elixirs.

Academic disciplines

Young lecturers quite freely mixed with the undergrads. Once Mr. Silva (Asst. Lecturer in Philosophy, who later joined NSB) as sub warden of MF - accompanied us on a trip to Jaffna. At Nagadeepa there was a large woodapple tree laden with fruits. We started plucking a few by throwing sticks (polu gahala). The Chief Monk of Nagadeepa saw this and yelled at us. Mr. Silva pleaded with “I told them to not to do so but they didn’t listen to me Hamuduruwane”. Then the Chief Monk said “Thamuseth polu gahala beriwela neda inne?” (You too may have tried but failed to pluck one. Didn’t you?).

While we were preparing for the final exam, one of our batch mates - Gune - fell ill and was taken to the Health Centre. Since the case turned serious he was transferred to Kandy General Hospital. Gune continued with high fever and was unconscious. First it was suspected to be Malaria since we had only recently returned from a trip to Wilpattu, but later it was diagnosed as ‘meningitis’. We were desperate and two of us met the Head of Econ Department Tony Rajarathnam and obtained a letter addressed to Prof. Sukurthanathan of the Medical Faculty. Our two friends went to the Medical Faculty and met the Professor. He asked “Sons, What can I do for you?” “Sir, Our friend has ‘majankaitis”, one replied. (The incident was duly and promptly reported by the other). Regardless of the confusion, the professor was instrumental in the final recovery of Gune. During our time, for two other students who got meningitis it was fatal.

At that time some residents of the JP have gone for a fishing interlude to the creek that flows between the Open Air Theatre (Wala) and the Lovers’ Lane. The catch had not been significant and somebody remembered the two large Gurami at the pond of the Lodge. They went there, caught one fish and injured the other with a pointed broom stick. The case was investigated and some culprits were fined.

Home gardens

During the hospitalized period Gunathilaka could not apply for the final exam and in any case he was not in a position to face the exam even after being discharged from the hospital. But luckily for him, the final exam was postponed at the last moment due to some strike.

When the university was reopened Gune appeared fully recovered and wanted to sit for the exam. But since he has not applied for at the first instance there was a problem. To sort it out he was compelled to meet President. During the discussion, Professor has asked “From what Hall are you?” “From JP. Sir” had been the reply. At that point the mood and the manners of the President changed and he has shouted “So you must be one of the gang that killed my two (fish) pets whom I looked after as if my own children”.

To this Gune has pleaded with him saying “Sir I was seriously ill and was in the hospital at that time. I have documents to prove that sir”. After realizing the sincerity of the case Prof has cooled down and has complied with Gune’s request saying in a very soothing voice “Kiyanna epeye lamayo?” (You should have told me that. Haven’t you?).

The quarters allocated for the professors had some home gardens with excellent butterfruit trees, plantains and king coconuts. When these trees are laden with fruit, the students who pass by assume that the professors cannot pluck them on their own and decide to relieve them of these burdens. Thus, those fruits will be transported to the students’ rooms at night time, without disturbing the professors in any way. In one such occasion, as a fierce dog was barking at the butterfruit pluckers, the professor opened the window and told himself loudly “Oh these are our children” (Ha me ape lamayi ne?) and closed the window.

Those were the days that we spent at Peradeniya. Regarding the relationship between the dons and the undergrads it was indeed a happy one. Even if we get a second chance we may re-enact the same life.

The dons of that period have now continued for more than 40 years since then to serve the university and the country in various capacities while rising higher and higher in their respective academic disciplines.

The undergraduates of that period still take pride in the fact that they happened to be guided by such eminent professors and lecturers and such pride enhances every day.

Concluded