HISTORY

Beginnings

The proposal for the establishment of University of Ceylon, the first university of Sri Lanka, which also was the predecessor of University of Peradeniya, goes back to 1884.^[3] But no progress was seen until the formation of Ceylon University Association in 1906 under the guidance of Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam. Its request for a European style university in Sri Lanka was partially granted by the British rulers with the formation of Ceylon University College on 1 January 1921.
The University Council, through which the administration of the Ceylon University College was done, appointed committees to plan the academic activities of a future university.^[3] For the location it made suggestions to locate the university in Bullers Road (now Bauddhaloka Mawatha) in Colombo, but it was disputed by the politicians. To resolve the controversy, the then Governor Hugh Clifford appointed a committee headed by Justice M.T. Akbar on 20 December 1926. It suggested that the proposed university should be unitary, residential and has to be established outside Colombo. Another committee was appointed in 1928 with Sir Walter Buchanan-Riddel as Chairman. It proposed a site located at Aruppola, in the Dumbara Valley close to Kandy. At this stage Dr. S.C. Paul and Andreas Nell pointed out disadvantages in the site and proposed a larger site at Peradeniya. In 1938 the government acquired the site and developed an area about 150 hectares (out of 700 hectares) to create the University Park.^[10]
Although the site was acquired, no plans were made to establish the university until 1941. It was with the arrival of Sir Ivor Jennings as the second principal of the Ceylon University College, that plans to establish the university were put into effect. He stressed the urgent need to move the university to Peradeniya, to the Minister of Education C. W. W. Kannangara and took the initiative in the process. Thus he is still considered as the forefather of the University of Peradeniya.^[11]

1942 to 1952

In 1942, the University of Ceylon was created as the first unitary, residential and autonomous university in Sri Lanka with its seat in Peradeniya, amalgamating Ceylon University College and the Medical College into a single unit with 55 academic staff members, 904 students in four Faculties.^[12][13] But due to World War II, it was only in 1946, the construction of buildings could be commenced. Until then, the lectures and laboratory classes were conducted in the buildings obtained from the Ceylon University College and the Ceylon Medical College in Colombo. Two consultants, Sir Patrick Abercrombie and Clifford Holliday did the planning and layout of the university complex. The first phase of work constituted only the development of the left bank. The building of a bridge across the Mahaweli River, later known as the Akbar bridge, was planned by Prof. A Thurairajah. Transfer of the first batch of students, students from the Departments of Law and Agriculture and the third and fourth year students of the Department of Veterinary Science, from Colombo to Peradeniya took place in 1949. Another major move took place in 1952, with the transfer of staff and students of the Faculties of Arts and Oriental Studies, together with the Main Library and the University Administration. This movement on 6 October 1952 marks the official establishment of University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. At the initial stages, Vice Chancellor Jennings wanted to model the university as British universities, but met with the resistance of students who opposed the changes.^[14]

1952 to 1972

 Although the buildings at Peradeniya was established in 1952, the official ceremony for its inception was held in 20 April 1954, with the participation of Queen Elizabeth II. The reason for its delay was the Sri Lankan government who were keen to postpone the ceremony until Queen Elizabeth II could participate in the event, whose visit was delayed by the death of King George VI. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh also participated in the event. He declaring the university opened stated:

“

You have remarked Mr. Chancellor, that it is not easy to open a university, because once established it is always open. However, like the shopkeepers of London during the bombing, I can declare this place to be "more open than usual..."

”

Sections of the University of Ceylon, functioned in Colombo and Peradeniya acted as campuses of the same university until 1967. But in 1967, these campuses were split into two. The section located in Peradeniya was known as the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, while the section located in Colombo was known as University of Ceylon, Colombo.

1972 to 1978

 By the University Act No.1 of 1972, four universities functioned at that time; Peradeniya, Colombo, Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara and the Ceylon College of Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa became five constituent campuses of a single university structure - the University of Sri Lanka. It had one vice chancellor and five presidents for five campuses. Under this designation, University of Ceylon - Peradeniya became the University of Sri Lanka - Peradeniya Campus. But this designation prevailed only until 1978.

1978 TO PRESENT

Under the Universities Act No. 16, 1978, the University of Sri Lanka had been split into six independent, autonomous universities as University of Peradeniya, University of Colombo, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya, University of Moratuwa and University of Jaffna.^[15] This Act brought back some of the central features of the Ceylon University Ordinance of 1942 such as the Senates, the Councils and Courts.

MAKING OF PERADENIYA UNIVERSITY