{"id":156879,"date":"2025-08-15T20:05:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T20:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=156879"},"modified":"2025-08-15T20:05:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T20:05:05","slug":"my-decision-to-leave-ceylon-in-1981-by-sachi-sri-kantha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/my-decision-to-leave-ceylon-in-1981-by-sachi-sri-kantha\/","title":{"rendered":"My Decision to leave Ceylon in 1981-by Sachi Sri Kantha"},"content":{"rendered":"

My Decision to leave Ceylon in 1981-by Sachi Sri Kantha<\/span><\/h2>\n

Source:<\/span><\/strong>Thuppahis<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"elanka\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sachi examining a winged bean pod in 1981<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Prelude<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Willingly, I opt to use the \u2018Ceylon\u2019 word, because I was born in the blessed island Ceylon in May 1953. The place of my birth was Chilaw, solely for the reason it was the then work location of my father Sachithanantham, then employed as a clerk in the hospital services of the Department of Health. He was 30, but my mother was only 17. My parents are from Point Pedro, and it was an arranged marriage among the kin in Point Pedro\u2019s adjacent regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

From 1961 to 1971, I had primary and secondly schooling at the Colombo Hindu College (Bambalapitiya, Ratmalana) and Aquinas University College. I entered the University of Sri Lanka (Colombo Campus) in January 1972, at the age of 18 years and 8 months. This entry was delayed by months, due to the JVP insurrection in April 1971. Ceylon was re-named as Sri Lanka in May 1972.<\/span><\/p>\n

I graduated with a B.Sc (Special) degree in April 1976, with an \u2018Ordinary Pass\u2019 degree. Among a group of 8, I was bottom in the totem pole, ranked between 6 and 8. Among my batch mates, there was one First Class holder, two Second Class (Upper) holders and two Second Class (Lower) holders. And I was one among the three, to receive \u2018Ordinary Pass\u2019 grade.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, I was determined to become a scientist; but my sub-par performance in the first degree necessitated to earn a Masters degree within the island. Then, plan for PhD studies in either UK, USA or Canada. This became my immediate aim in 1977. Thus, I moved to Peradeniya, to earn a \u2018quickie\u2019 Masters degree (by course work) at the newly established Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture in one year. I was in the second batch to graduate, with a degree in Agricultural biology. Then, fortune smiled at me, when I was hired by Prof. Thomas (Tommy) W. Wikramanayake (1918-2008), as a temporary assistant lecture in biochemistry, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, from March 1978. This temporary position was extended annually in 1979 and 1980. Prof. Wikramanayake was on the verge of retirement, and planning his move to Ruhuna, to set up the medical faculty there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two vital traits of my character, which I picked up during my teenage years, were, (1) regular record keeping by writing diaries. This I maintained from 1970 to 1986, till I got married in January 1987. This helped me now, to answer why I opted to leave Ceylon and for what reasons. (2) a sort-of rebellious trait, that I attribute to being an avid fan of boxing champ Muhammad Ali and his \u2018poke in your face\u2019 verses\u00a0\u2018I don\u2019t have to be what you want me to be; I\u2019m free to be, what I want\u2019<\/em><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why I decided to leave Ceylon and for What reasons?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

For four years (1978\u201381), I faced 9 unsuccessful interviews for permanent assistant lecturer in biochemistry positions at the Universities of Colombo and University of Peradeniya as well as for zoology\u00a0and<\/strong>\u00a0biochemistry positions at the University of Jaffna. Eventually, in April 1981, I was successful in my 10th<\/sup>\u00a0attempt at the University of Jaffna, as an assistant lecturer in biochemistry.\u00a0Simultaneously,<\/strong>\u00a0I also received a graduate research assistantship with a good stipend at the University of Illinois. I attempted to negotiate terms for my release with the University of Jaffna administration, but it was unsuccessful. So, I opted to leave for USA in August 1981, rather than moving to Jaffna.<\/span><\/p>\n

After 45 years, as anthropological snippets, I provide select entries from my diary pages from 1979 to 1981. I have recorded my failures, in my attempts at job search. The names of academics mentioned in these entries offer a montage of \u2018movers and shakers\u2019 affiliated with the universities in Colombo, Peradeniya and Jaffna during that period.<\/span><\/p>\n

1979<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mar 22 (Thr):\u00a0<\/em>Kanthie Karalliedde (a fellow assistant lecturer with MBBS degree, at the department) told me that she had received a letter for interview permanent position in biochemistry, will be held on 27th<\/sup>. My letter would have gone to Colombo \u2013 my permanent address.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mar 27 (Tue)<\/em>: went to the Senate building at 9:45 am. Interview for the biochemistry assistant lecturer position began at 10.00. Altogether, there were 7 interviewees, including me. 5 Sinhalese and 2 Tamils. Kamalie (a Chemistry Special degree girl), and me are the two Tamils. Interviewees were called in alphabetical order. I was the last to go. Compared to others who went before me, they kept me longer. Those are the selection team were, Prof. Wikramanayake, Prof. B. Panditharatne (Vice Chancellor), Prof R.G. Panabokke (Dean, Faculty of Medicine), Dean (Faculty of Science), and two more whom I cannot identify. When Professor returned to his room, I asked about the results. His response: \u2018They didn\u2019t select anyone. We are going to re-advertise the post again.\u2019 At the universities, this is my 4th<\/sup>\u00a0rejection. Previous three were,<\/span><\/p>\n