The University of Sri Jayewardenepura dates to 1873, when the Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero laid the foundation stone for the university as a pirivena (Institute of Buddhist and Oriental Studies) named Vidyodaya (meaning "awakening of knowledge"). It was built on land at Maligakanda, a Colombo suburb, with funds gifted by Andiris Perera Dharmagunawardhana. Mohottiwatte Gunananda, who was a great force in the emergence of this pirivena, intended to train educated orator monks to save Buddhism. For that purpose he made logic compulsory in pirivena education. The pirivena taught Buddhist studies as well as pseudo-sciences like astrology, widely accepted and held in high esteem in traditional society. The transition from pirivena to university gradually converted it to a secular center of learning.
The University Act and the New University
In 1956, following a change of government with Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike as the prime minister and following the policy of promoting national languages and culture, it was decided to establish two new universities by conferring university status on the Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara Pirivenas.
Accordingly, the Vidyodaya University and Vidyalankara University Act No. 45 of 1958 established the universities at the Vidyodyaya Pirivena at Maligakanda and the Vidyalankara Pirivena at Kelaniya. In 1958, it was reconstituted as the Vidyodaya University of Ceylon. Welivitiye Soratha Maha Thero, who was the principal of the Vidyodaya Pirivena, was appointed the first vice-chancellor of Vidyodaya University. The university was ceremonially opened on 16 February 1959. Sir Oliver Goonatilleke, the governor-general and ex-officio chancellor of the university, expressed its aims and objectives:
“ This is a historic occasion. Today witnesses the renaissance of Pirivena education on a broader front. It is my good fortune that I am privileged to be here today to inaugurate the Vidyodaya University and to extend my best wishes to the Vice Chancellor and the staff. The granting of university status to the two principal Pirivenas of the Island is one of the most far-reaching achievements of the Government in the realm of education. Minister Dahanayaka will be remembered in the annals of this Island as the man who gave Oriental learning and its traditional seats the encouragement and support they needed to become an integral part of the educational set up of modern Lanka. The Buddhist priesthood, who had in the past contributed so much to the cause of oriental learning and culture, will now get the opportunity of widening their sphere of influence... ” The university commenced its academic activities with five faculties: Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, Languages, Arts, and Ayurveda and Science. There were 22 departments of study. Some of the students of the Vidyodaya Pirivena were among the first students of the university. Adult candidates with the requisite minimum entry requirements were also selected for admission. Admission was restricted to males and the initial student population was composed mainly of bhikkus (Buddhist monks). The initial academic staff were drawn from the same Pirivena, or those who had been its outstanding alumni, and were mainly scholarly Buddhist monks. Pandit Wickramarachchi, a famous Ayurveda physician, was in charge of the minuscule department of science. These more secular subjects required the services of visiting lay staff.
Last Updated on: Nov 25, 2024