Reflections of campus life 1967-1970 Memories are made of this

The Science and Law graduates of 1970 of the University of Ceylon, Colombo Campus, celebrated their 40th anniversary recently, with a weekend at the Pegasus Reef Hotel. The National Anthem, followed by solemn moments of silence in remembrance of departed colleagues, preceded an evening of revelry, where the men in colourful sarongs and matching shirts, sang and danced into the wee hours of the morning, with their comely fellow graduates dressed in traditional attire.
Many had made a special effort to fly in from overseas, just to grace the occasion. While a majority of us were into retirement, the appointment of batch-mate R. Suresh Chandra to the Supreme Court Bench was singled out and enthusiastically toasted. We missed Lalith Weeratunga (pressures of Temple Trees had confined him to house detention) and Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, but these happy connections coupled with Suresh’s elevation, gave us all a delightful feeling of comfort and security from any possible infringements with the law! Breakfast, the following morning, saw the entire group dressed in blue T-shirts: The choice of colour was unanimously endorsed as sensible! The animated conversation and cheerful laughter emanating from a sea of more than 80 heads made my mind drift down memory lane.
“Good Morning Skandakumar, stand on that table and tell us about yourself.”Those were the first words I heard from my seniors on my first day at the University of Ceylon in 1967. This was followed by a crisp instruction to sing a song of my choice, and at its conclusion, a warm handshake preceded an invitation to Tea. That was in fact, the tone of a “freshers’ rag” in University life then. Some of those ‘ferocious’ seniors were to become my closest friends in the ensuing years.Yes, campus life in our time was both a dignity and a blessing, and mercifully devoid of any form of political interference or involvement (the Arts Faculty students did have their affiliations, but these thankfully, were not of any significance then.)
Our Lecturers endeared themselves to the students, and held our respect, while we in turn, strove diligently to earn theirs. We were very fortunate in academic stalwarts of the calibre of Professors Mylvaganam, Siriwardene, Mendis Ramakrishna, Samaranayake, Kannangara, Dharmaratnam, Thambiah and charming ladies as Mrs Fernandopulle and Pearlyn Perera. They were indeed role models we proudly looked up to. College House, where Vice Chancellor (VC) Walwin De Silva had his office, was considered sacred, and we went through those revered gates in strict silence, only to check on our exam results. In later years, not only did undergraduates storm this prestigious building at will, but even invaded the VC’s office, and in one tragic instance, brutally gunned down the incumbent official….such was the staggering erosion of values, and their cause is common knowledge.
A Degree in Physical Science, in our time, entailed lectures, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon only, whilst two afternoons in the week were devoted to practicals. Consequently, there was plenty of leisure time to pursue meaningful activities like sitting in pairs cuddled under umbrellas or in the shade of the many willow trees that adorned Thurstan Road, or at Bus Stands (where curiously, no effort was made to get into the many that stopped) or take a leisurely stroll up Queens Road, with options of Green Cabin or Lion House, subject to one’s companion and financial means! For those who had not been smitten by the love bug, there were interesting alternatives in the varsity canteen.
Our batch comprised largely of sportsmen and women, and so, there was always a hive of activity on the Thurstan Road Esplanade late into the evenings, with athletes, hockey players, cricketers, ruggerites and cagers. Across the road and adjoining College House, undergrads pursued tennis, table tennis and other indoor games. The canteen was a regular scene of serious bridge and chess, while the ever popular “asking-hitting” card games held the attention of the light hearted, until the keeper called “lights out”. For badminton, one had to access the racecourse on the far side of the campus across Reid Avenue, where some excellent facilities were available. Soon, a year had passed, and it was time for the Science Faculty’s annual social titled “Tamasha” held traditionally at year end on the premises at King George’s Hall. Amongst the many items listed was a brief stage performance depicting the early life of Adam and Eve, played much to everyone’s delight to enticing music by two male students. The large gathering (which included our University Dons) was held spellbound, until Adam violated the script, and snatched Eve’s Figleaf!! The exposure sent the audience into raptures, while an embarrassed Eve made a hasty retreat. The event also brought to focus many hidden talents, and a fellow undergrad who had been a member of the original music group the Savages, took the limelight with his guitar and powerful voice.
Student interaction was warm, frequent and cordial. So the impact of magnetism was inevitable. Consequently, many of those who walked the traditional campus Lovers Lane, graduated to matrimony, and on to a great life together, as was evident at the reunion.Our batch was unique in almost every respect, and the interpersonal relationships formed the very foundation for our success in many fields. This earned the admiration of our Professors and Lecturers, as one of the best integrated batches that entered the campus. We even went carol singing annually at Christmas time, picking some generous homes to ensure an adequate supply of liquor. Inevitably, the hymns did get mixed up at the tail end of our visits, while some members of our improvised choir, simply fell silent!! The pinnacle of our success as a group, came in 1969, when Science became the University’s champion Faculty in sports, a title that was for many years dominated by the ‘Medicoes’.
Finally, a word about the University’s cricket. In the first two years, we combined with Peradeniya campus in the major domestic tournament for the P. Sara trophy. By the third year, and after a great deal of acrimony, the University’s name was changed to University of Sri Lanka, Colombo Campus, and we participated as an independent unit in the season 69/70. We played exceptional cricket that year, ably led by that king of swing Mevan Peiris, to become league champions of the nations highest grade of cricket. This was the closest we got to the championship, after Carlyle Perera’s team won the trophy in 1962, and was in itself a great achievement. I do not think University cricket ever scaled such heights anytime thereafter, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the Director of Sports, K.L.F Wijedasa, his charming assistant, Sybil De Silva, and of course, that most affable Medical Officer of Health, the late Dr Eric Alles, who were all a great source of encouragement and strength to the University’s sportsmen and women. Yes, those were indeed times when most things connected to life were exactly as they were meant to be. Even with the English language, ass meant a donkey, being gay reflected happiness, cock referred to a rooster, pussy was an endearing term for a cat, prick represented pain, and tit was a response to tat!!
An announcement, that it was time for the tug-o-war event, jolted me back to reality. Nine formidable ladies were being given the right to nominate five men for the other end of the rope, in what was expected to be a fiercely contested “best of three” battle for supremacy. The fairer sex had obviously chosen well, as the lasses went on to win in straights. The five humbled men were duly dumped in the pool by their bewildered male colleagues! Meanwhile, an equal number of empty crates of beer had their own story to tell!!
Finally, it was time for warm handshakes, embraces and goodbyes, not knowing how, where or when we would meet like this again. The memories of a truly remarkable University life, however, will remain etched forever, as will the feeling of gratitude for the opportunity we had to experience that life to its fullest, in far less stressful times. (The Nation)