Educationist with a noble mission

Remembering Dr. E. W. Adikaram

Dr. E. W. Adikaram, the eminent scholar who obtained his doctorate from the London University after his graduation, returned to Sri Lanka and rendered an immense service for the upliftment of education of our younger generation. An unassuming scholar with simple manners, he led an exemplary life until the end. He passed away on 28th December 1985 and it is with deep gratitude we commemorate his 26th death anniversary.

‘Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon’ – the thesis which Dr. Adikaram forwarded to the London University for his doctorate, is one of his monumental literary works, which even the academics and research students of today acclaim as a highly invaluable book to gain insight and knowledge of our glorious past history.

Educationist, humanist and free thinker, Dr. Adikaram was the founder of two great Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka viz. Ananda Sasthralaya, Kotte and the Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. Anula Vidyalaya girls’ college was built with generous contributions of his close friend, Prof. P. B. Fernando of the Colombo Medical Faculty and Dr. Adikaram was the chairman of the Board of Management since its inception. Both these schools are now super grade, popular schools with a student population well over 12, 000 children. Dr. Adikaram was a stalwart in the free education movement of C. W. W. Kannangara.

As a principal of a school and the Manager of Buddhist Theosophical Society (B.T.S), Dr Adikaram made a noteworthy contribution to the progress of education. Ananda Sasthralaya, Kotte, which was earlier a tiny, neglected school was made a pioneering Buddhist school in the island, within a short span of 10-years by his untiring efforts.

He selected the best teachers for his staff and attended to all infrastructure facilities of the school, with donations received from philanthropists all over the island, while focusing on the development of curriculum activities benefitting the students. The popularity of the school was such that even the children from far away Badulla, Bibile and Passara sought admission to it. A hostel was built to accommodate these new students and they were only provided with vegetarian meals. He was a strict disciplinarian and every students’ code of conduct was regularly monitored by the relevant authorities.

However, in 1949 Dr. Adikaram left the school to attend a series of seminars of world-renowned philosopher J. Krishnamurthi, held in India, and his Deputy Principal Bernard Wickramasinghe succeeded him as principal, and every effort was made by him to continue the development process of the school (1949-1955). Thereafter, N.W.D. Costa assumed the principalship for a short period of two years, and next in line was a young post-graduate in the staff, Mahinda Palihawadana (now an Emeritus professor), a trusted pupil of Dr. Adikaram to ascend the vacant principal post. The new principal further fulfilled the wishes of his mentor, Dr. Adikaram, by putting up necessary buildings for a girl’s school at Pagoda road named, Ananda Sasthralaya Balika Vidyalaya, and Mrs. Siriwardene with 35 years of teaching experience, was appointed its first principal. A fully fledged playground for Ananda Sasthralaya was built and opened in 1956 at Thalawathugoda, road, Beddagana.

Dr. Adikaram led a very fruitful life until his 80th year. He compiled a monthly science magazine NAVEENA VIDYA, to provide a good knowledge in modern science for children, contributed articles to newspapers regularly, founded the Sri Lanka Vegetarian Movement, Sri Lanka Krishnamurthi Education Centre, Young Thinkers society and was also the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura for some time. He was an expert on interpreting some of the most puzzling terms in Pali texts, and many sought his advice to get them clarified.

Though Dr. Adikaram was engaged in the socialist movement for a short period with his friends, Dr. N. M. Perera, Dr. S. A. Wickramasinghe and Philip Gunawardane, but left that movement as he disliked the theory of ‘Revolution’, because a revolution would ultimately end up in bloodshed. He enunciated that the safety of affluent class (well to do), entirely depended on the wellbeing of the lesser fortunate section in a society. This wide gap has to be narrowed with meaningful actions. Similarly, he believed that division of a country on ethnic basis was no solution for peace among people, as it would result in never ending boundary disputes in a country.

He forecasted the possible disruption of normal life of young children and adults due to harmful television programs, resulting in escalation of crime. Regarding the concept of vegetarianism, he said that if practiced in its real sense, it was a stepping stone to protecting all living beings and the environment as a whole.

Most happiest period of Dr. E. W. Adikaram’s life was spent at his devoted pupil Siri Palihawadana’s residence at No. 23/3, Mirihana Road, Nugegoda. Both Siri and his wife, Luxmi, fondly looked after him and provided all necessary comforts. It was also an ideal place for him to conduct discussions and meet monks, scholars, students, and members of various organisations, initiated by him. December 28th morning of 1985 was a sad day for the Siri Palihawadana family, as their revered teacher had passed away in his sleep, serenely, without a touch of any discomfort. A state funeral was accorded to him by the then President, in recognition of his service to the nation.

Dr. Adikaram was a living embodiment of purity, and he completed his ennoble mission for the wellbeing of our future generation through his upright thoughts and actions, and it is for us to gain something new from his far-sighted vision.

NIMAL PALIHAWADANA

Past pupil, Ananda Sasthralaya, Kotte