By Dr. Jeevananda Keerthisena
The Engineering Faculty at Peradeniya (PeraEFac) was the first Engineering Faculty in Sri Lanka established, as a part of the University of Ceylon, on 1 July 1950 in Colombo.The Efac was moved to Peradeniya in October 1964 and PeraEFac has made elaborate arrangements to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in the coming months.
Here, I wish to honour our founding fathers who rendered yeoman service to the growth of the PeraEFac .
Until 1949 Ceylon Technical College (CTC), Maradana offered Engineering courses presenting students for London University External Examinations in Engineering. When the degree level courses at CTC suddenly collapsed in 1950 Prof E.O.E Pereira was called upon to set up the EFac hurriedly on 1 July 1950 within the CTC premises.
Prof E.O.E.Pereira accomplished the task with newly recruited academic staff, 25 freshmen and three batches of 189 seniors who had followed the CTC programmes. R.H.Paul, T.Sivaprakasapillai, H.B.de Silva, E.F.Barrtholoeusz, J.C.V.Chinnappa, P.Selvanayagam, K.Arumugam,W.M.G.Fernando, W.P.Jayasekera, S.Mahalingam, and G.D.Somasunderam were recruited as pioneer Academic staff of the EFac.
Prof. E.O.E. Pereira served as Dean, Engineering, Professor and Head, Civil Engineering, Prof. R.H. Paul as Professor and Head Electrical Engineering and Prof. J.C.V. Chinnappa as Professor and Head Mechanical Engineering. The EFac used the class rooms and laboratory facilities of CTC to offer a four-year BSc Eng degree in specialisations of Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
In 1952 EFac moved to Thurstan Road and EFac students had an exhausting time attending Morning lectures at Thurstan Road and afternoon Labs at CTC Maradana. Despite the hectic schedules, EFac boys excelled in sports, athletics and boxing. The Dean Prof. EOE also created a popular annual social event as the Faculty Day.
To the relief of all the EFac began its new home in its beautifully planned spacious home at salubrious Peradeniya in October 1964. EFac students were jubilant with spacious lecture theatres, laboratories, library, and accommodation facilities.
I am delighted to record these memories as one among the first EFac boys in 1964.
1. Prof.E.O.E.Pereira
In the annals of the EFac Prof.E.O.E.Pereira the founding Dean shines brightly as a brilliant sympathetic leader and the father of engineering education in this country.
Prof Eustace Oliver Edwin Pereira affectionately known as EOE was born in 1907 and had his education at Royal College, and University of Ceylon Colombo.
He obtained a first class in the B.Sc University of London in 1928 and a first class in the Mechanical Science Tripos at University of Cambridge in 1931.
After serving as an Engineer in the Public Works Department he was appointed to the University chair to plan the first Faculty of Engineering at Peradeniya.
The spacious lay-out of the building complex and the excellent facilities at PeraEFac has been due to the foresight and determination of Prof E.O.E.Pereira.
In 1957 when EOE was called upon to trim down his requirements for Efac buildings and equipment he tendered resignation rather than compromise his vision of Efac.
Had he succumbed to the pressure of the Pera VC our Efac will not be enjoying the prestige and recognition of owning the best auditorium and majestic buildings.
Prof EOE was a brilliant and piquant academic and a teacher par excellence.
Amidst the onerous duties associated with the new EEFac in 1966 he taught us structures and it was a treat to listen to his brilliant lectures with lucid explanations.
I was fortunate to join the Civil Engineering department under Prof EOE, Head Civil and Dean Engineering in May 1968 at a time swabasha teaching was in the offing.
He urged us to be sensitive to the feelings of hard- pressed students from rural areas.
In the late 1960s when there was much interest in food production he decided to convert the vacant space in front of the faculty to an impressive model paddy field.
In 1969 when the VC suddenly resigned following a student rumpus, Prof EOE was called upon to be the VC and with his sympathy and understanding of the University students he successfully steered the Peradeniya university through turbulent waters.
Prof EOE retired from University service in 1970 and even after retirement he continued to show much interest in the welfare and development of PeraEfac.
Prof EOE was awarded an honorary D.Sc in 1978 and he passed away in 1988.
