News item:- Daily News, 20th March 2023: “No Bar to kiss at Peradeniya” .… Suranga Dilhan, Gampola Corr.
“Peradeniya University is a place filled with love and there is no prohibition for kissing at the university premises,” Peradeniya University Vice Chancellor Prof. M. D. Lamawansa and Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Terrance Mudiyith said.
They made the above comment during a meeting at the University’s Sanathana Mandiraya. Their comments were in the wake of media and social media criticisms directed at the University that its administration has obstructed any space for love based on a recent incident involving a couple, who are undergraduates of the University. The Vice-Chancellor said that he accepts the rights and freedom of university students, numbering to about 13,000, in the beautiful University premises extending to about 1,700 acres. “My aim is student development and not student oppression. University students are under severe pressure these days due to the economic crisis and protests in the post-pandemic period. Therefore, we have given space for their mental wellbeing,” he added. “There is no prohibition for kissing at the University premises. However, trying to surpass conventional barriers may lead to problems.
Parents of the students, school children and teachers often come to the University. The administrators have to look at it from all angles,” he said. He pointed out that the dignity of the University, which is among the best 1,000 universities in the world, has to be maintained. He, however, said that the University has decided to increase its involvement for the mental welfare and educational and economic problems of the students’.
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Dear Editor, Ceylankan
As an alumnus of Peradeniya University (1959 -1963), I read with great interest the very entertaining and insightful articles written by Ernest Macintyre, (published in The Ceylankan), on life at Pera. during the mid twentieth century. A few days ago, the Sri Lanka Daily News (20th March) carried a news item on aspects of life at Pera. today, (see above) which shows that in regard to the important things in life, nothing has changed at this great seat of learning.
In 1959 (and one might say from inception of the Pera. University), romance and love pervaded university life. Curated to perfection with flowering trees and plants and lush grassed areas, the campus stretched from the lower Hantana Hills to the rambling Mahaveli River. There was ample opportunity for kissing on campus as seems to be the case today too. ‘Lovers Lane’ and the little nooks off the asphalt pathway afforded kissing opportunities, as did the area behind the gymnasium. At the weekend if one was able to get to the lower Hantana Hills above Pieris Hall, many undisturbed hours of togetherness were to be enjoyed. There was also the regular goodnight kiss at the ‘kissing bend’, which was in proximity to the three ‘Girls Halls’ off Galaha Road.
the well-worn “kissing bend”
Lanka has sadly sunk into the mire of financial bankruptcy from the mid twentieth century to recent times. However, in the passion and love departments (as the article suggests) nothing has been lost. The financial bankruptcy of the country at large is in stark contrast to the abundance of passion and love among the future leaders of Sri Lanka. Long live love in Lanka.
Earl Forbes … in Sydney addressng the Editors of the steadfast & long-standing monument to the vigour of Si Lankan migrants in that city known as THE CEYLANKAN
A NOTE from The Editor, Thuppahi:
Earl Forbes is the author of the widely-acclaimed article on Alice Nona … one that allowed little spaee for kissing but earned praise from an authority on migration to Australia, namely Professor Eric Richards … alas no more in this our world.
The White Australia Policy, Ceylonese Burghers and Alice Nona
