The Colombo I saw in 1947

[Part 2]

by Bernard W. Dissanayake

There was Maligakanda traffic courts at the far end of the road and court sessions were held twice a week. One day while we were in the boarding house, we got news of an interesting traffic case involving some medical students. Four medical students had been caught by a constable for a minor traffic offence. The case proceedings turned out to be hilarious.

When the court asked the police sergeant to state the case against the four medical students the police sergeant responded, "Your Honour, I can tolerate two going double, but your Honour, how can I tolerate three going double one on the 'polla' and the other on the breast. The Magistrate responded, "Of course not, sergeant" and fined the four medicos Rs. 20 (Rs. 5 each).

Those days the bicycle was a popular mode of transport for students as well as others who could not afford a car or motorcycle. A cyclist could not carry an extra-passenger on the bicycle and riding abreast on public roads was forbidden.

Cycling was popular in Colombo and in the suburbs. My English literature teacher made the following statement in the class while explaining Shakespeare's Romeo-Juliet. He said sarcastically, "you can see nowadays in Bambalapitiya on the Galle Road, cycling Romeos, in flood level trousers, slowing when noticing parapet wall Juliet. The teacher was apparently quoting a popular newspaper columnist.

I attended Alexandra College managed by G. Weeramanthri then well-known retired maths teacher of Royal College. The college was located close to Town Hall, Colombo 7 and was facing the Victoria Park. I travelled daily from Maligakanda to the college by bus and walked through the beautifully laid front lawn to reach college, by the side of Barnes Place entry point. The Town Hall was an impressive Gothic style building and the park in front gave it the grandeur it deserved. The park had all sorts of flowering trees and creepers and rows and rows of flower beds of different types or roses, cannas, chrysanthemum and many others, were well laid out with ponds fitted with fountains. Being in the heart of the city it was an inviting place to relax and spend a few hours leisurely for the young and old. Benches were placed under shady trees for people to relax.

Those who visited the park then did not abuse the facilities provided nor did they pollute the beautiful environment. There were uniformed watchers constantly moving around in the park to ensure order and propriety within. On the southern side of the park ran the beautifully shaded Green Path. Large flowering trees lined up both sides of the road. Across the road was the National Art Gallery, the National Museum, SSC sports ground and the Public Library. The whole area extending over several acres of prime urban property was well planned, and developed and kept clean and tidy

During weekends I often dropped in at the gallery and the public library where I spent a few hours reading books and magazines. I did this regularly at least twice a month. Spending a few hours at the Public Library was indeed enjoyable and educationally rewarding.

The Colombo Public Library had a large collection of books and magazines on many fields. We call it the 'Pub', for short. The library was housed in a large house not designed for a library. But the management of the library had used the space available to stock and display a big collection of books, periodicals, magazines, government reports, including the hanzard and newspapers.

The Library had four important sections, namely the reference section, the circulation or the lending section, the periodical section and the reading room where readers could bring their own books and read them. I usually spend three to four hours in the library, using the reference and periodical sections. I really picked up my reading habit at the Public Library in Colombo and I owe a great deal to it for my academic achievements later in life. The Pub, was patronised by students, professionals and residents in Colombo. I think Victoria Park and the Public Library were places of pride to the CMC.

I met many scholars such as late Dr. A.P. de Soysa, Mahagamasekara, Pandit Amaradeva and K. Jayatilaka at the library.

After passing the senior school certificate examination I left Colombo to reside in Gangodawila, Nuegoda, which then had a more rural setting than now. I moved there to do London AL classes at the Polytechnic Institute at Wellawatte. But I continue to patronise the library. The books and periodicals covered the fields that I had selected for London AL examination. I used the Public library and the British Council Library, in Kollupitiya as centres for my studies.

In those days, using the libraries to collect study material and do reference work in a user-friendly atmosphere was more than sufficient for anyone engaged in higher studies and to pass examinations.

I used to cycle all the way from Nugegoda to the Public Library in Colombo via Nawala spending five minutes one way. I did this at least twice a month and spent most of the day at the library. The general social environment in Colombo was facilitating and accommodating for serious students achieving their targets. The Public Library, Colombo was very much a friendly learning resource centre for students.

After passing my London AL examination in all four subjects, I left Colombo to teach at S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa under Dr. R.L. Hayman, headmaster. After a few years I returned to Colombo and attended Aquinas College and followed a degree course in the evening leading to B.Sc (Econ) Hons. Of the University of London.

After the graduation I was appointed as the Assistant Librarian at the Public Library and worked there until I joined Vidyodaya University as an Assistant lecturer (Economics) in the Department of Public and Business Administration. I continued to visit the library even after I joined the university on a regular basis until I( went abroad to study at Oxford University, England. The pleasant memories of the Public Library, Colombo are still lingering in my mind.