The year was 1984 and I had just finished my GCE Advanced
Level Examinations. My mind was not settled on a particular course of study
post GCE Advanced Level. Law, Journalism and Marketing attracted me equally. I
had roughly four months to decide. I had to do something during the interim. It
was during this period I visited a relative in anticipation of a job. While
talking to him he received a telephone call, he excused himself and left
momentarily. The radio was on and an eminent Law professor who later became
much publicised figure in the Sri Lankan political scene was on the air
expounding outlandish jargon on jurisprudence. I cannot for sure say whether I
fully comprehended all what he said, but how he said it held my attention. The
gentleman was from the University of Colombo. He was a PhD and was speaking in
impeccable English. I later learnt that the individual was a double PhD. He may
have not convinced me to embark on a career in law but for sure I wanted to
talk like him. His vocabulary verbose, syntax accurate and impact wholesome. I
was galvanised.
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| Prof. Gamini Lakshman Peiris with Lakshman Namal Rajapaksa ( a PhD student) |
Nelson Mandela famously said “Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to change the world.” I don’t think any sensible
person would disagree with the statement. It’s a fact, a proverbial truism. It
must also be said in the same breath that education can also be misused when
largesse is dangled at people supposedly of incorruptible integrity who in fact
succumb like rats to its set trap. Also what’s the purpose of education when
those with it remain silent when draconian legislation is passed to further
strengthen an autocratic ruler.
Not everyone is able to do a PhD, a Doctor of Philosophy,
abbreviated as PhD. An award given in many countries as a postgraduate degree by universities for academic
excellence in a chosen field. A doctorate of philosophy varies considerably
according to the country yet the social status it produces is quite unique. The
term philosophy does not refer solely to the field of philosophy, but is used
in a broader sense in accordance with its original Greek meaning, which is
“love of wisdom”.
When I completed my Masters twenty five years later I was
naturally inclined to embark on my doctorate. Selected a university, spoke to
the professor and submitted my proposal and it was accepted. The aura and
euphoria I experienced was indescribable. In three to five years people will
call me doctor and that was cooly cool. It was at this juncture I met an old
friend Uncle Raymond a confirmed rationalist and quintessentially
anti-establishment. Though he was twice my age both shared a love or you may
call it hate for local politics. We were meeting after a prolong hiatus.
Both were thrilled at the prospect of seeing each other. We
did a great deal of catching up. He then asked me what I was up to. I told him
the usual. I was in two minds whether to mention my new adventure. Yes I wanted
to impress him and I pitched him straight on for about two minutes. He listened
to me rather attentively. Uncle Raymond stared at me and remained pensive and
then started to speak “So you have made up your mind to become a “Permanent
Head Damaged person” I said what do you mean. “That’s what they are, those
blokes with PhD’s
“Oh Shut up Mr Idroos” “As if the hell caused by your
species is not enough” I was puzzled at this unexpected outburst by my friend
Raymond Goonatilleke. I can sense the fury in the man’s face but couldn’t
understand why he was displaying such extreme behaviour. Then he unleashed a
tirade on me as if I was a pickpocket. “Show me one bugger of your species, of
those living now who has left a worthwhile legacy, someone with moral
rectitude, show me, show me, show me” This conversation was taking place in the
Dehiwala junction area and I was wondering why the cops were not diverting
traffic because Uncle Raymond was firing left, right and centre.
“All the rascals are cheaters, deceivers, opportunists and
grand scale collaborators” “This is exactly what they are” “If they had
fulfilled what society had expected of them, at least the ones who joined party
politics could have made Sri Lanka a much better place”. Then he started to
mention names of Ministers and MPs and those outside with PhD and started to
shred them as if chunky meat was being grounded to make some other by-product.
The choice of words was unparliamentary hence not reproducible. Mr Raymond
Goonatilleke was a democratic citizen and he had every reason to express his
opinion. I surely would have been relatively milder but all five fingers are
not the same.
Suddenly a private bus approached almost knocking us down.
The conductor on the footboard chewing beetle was at the top of his voice,
shouting Moratuwa, Moratuwa. Uncle Raymond looked at me and said “Putha I got
to leave” “No hard feelings putha, I told you the truth. I have greater trust
in the guy who brings the gas cylinder home than our PhD rascals”. He embarked
the Moratuwa bound bus which disappeared into the traffic.
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