Brief History of Eastern University, Sri Lanka

The Batticaloa University College was established on 1 of August 1981 to fill a long felt need for the development of a Higher Educational Institution in the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. This College began with two faculties: the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Agriculture. Both the faculties were affiliated to the University of Peradeniya. In 1986 this University College was elevated to the status of a University under the name of Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka was established on 1 of October 1986 by a University order dated 26 of September 1986 issued under section 2 of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978. In 1988 two new faculties, the Faculty of Commerce and Management and the Faculty of Cultural Studies were established. The Faculty of Cultural Studies was then expanded and renamed as the Faculty of Arts and Culture in 1991.

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka has recently established a new Faculty, the Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, and students are being admitted in 2006. A Campus of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka functions in Trincomalee with two new Faculties, the Faculty of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Communication and Business Studies.

Brief History of Swami Vipulananda College of Music and Dance (SVCMD)

Swami Vipulananda College of Music and Dance (SVCMD) was established on 29 May 1982 at RKM/ Swami Vipulananda Mani Mandapam, Kalladi Uppodai, Batticaloa by the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Hindu Culture in memory of Swami Vipulananda (1892-1947), an accomplished Monk of the Ramakrishna order and great savant of Batticaloa, who excelled not only in Science but also in Tamil and Fine Arts. He was invited to be the first professor of Tamil in the University of Ceylon in recognition of his literary and research work. His original research work on the ancient Tamil Musical instrument “Yarl” (Yarl Nool) is recognized as a Master piece in Tamil Literature.

The SVCMD was inaugurated with 75 students and four teachers of Music. Mr Sivanandampillai, a consultant from Tamil Nadu was appointed to draw up the Curricula and syllabi by the Ministry SVCMD was administered by the Director, Dept. of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs. (Four year Diploma Programme was conducted by SVCMD).

In March 1982, foundation stone was laid at the Ramakrishnapuram, Nochchimunai land premises by Former Hon. Minister for Regional Affairs and Hindu Culture -Mr. Chelliah Rajadurai who was responsible for the establishment of SVCMD. From July 1986 onwards, lectures and practical classes of Dance and Music were started functioning at the New Building Complex of SVCMD at Ramakrishnapuram, Nochchimunai, Batticaloa. (Present Building Complex of SVIAS)

Ever since the Eastern University, Sri Lanka was established in 1986, there had been moves to take over the SVCMD by the Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Hon. Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs, by his letter dated 15th July 1988 stated that he was agreeable to the affiliation of SVCMD with the Eastern University providing the proposal was approved by the University Grants Commission. Subsequently there had been Continuous strikes by the students of SVCMD and public agitation for the takeover of the College by the Eastern University, similar to the takeover of the Ramanathan College of Fine Arts by the University of Jaffna.

As early as 1989, the North Eastern Provincial Council offered to negotiate with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education affiliate the SVCMD with EUSL. The affiliation however, did not take place. But, dragged on due to eruption of ethnic violence and other reasons. In response to a comprehensive proposal submitted by the EUSL, the University Grants Commission by its letter dated 13th March 1997 allowed the Eastern University to enroll the Diploma holders from SVCMD at EUSL for the degree programme. In response to these moves and representation made by Members of Parliament and various public organizations, Her Excellency President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga agreed to the vesting of the SVCMD with the Eastern University and has directed the Hon. Minister of Education and Higher Education to initiate urgent action to implement this proposal. The SVCMD was ceremonially handed over to the Ministry of Higher Education and Information Technology Development by the Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs on 20th April 2001.

On handing over, the Hon. Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs made a request that the name of Swami Vipulananda and the special identity of the College continuously to be used, Following this handing over, students were admitted to the undergraduate study programmes, and the degree was awarded by the EUSL .Those who had obtained a Diploma in Music and Dance from a recognized institutions were given two years exemption to follow the degree programme at SVCMD, subject to the approval of the Senate, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. From 2001-2005 the institution was looked after by the Faculty of Arts and Culture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The following persons were appointed by the University council as Coordinators from the Faculty of Arts and Culture to upgrade the institution to the university level. The academic and administration foundation were laid during their period.

• Prof. Ammankily Murugadas
  Dean, Faculty of Arts and Culture (2001-2002)
• Prof. S. Maunaguru
  Head, Department of Fine Arts (2002-2004)
• Mr. B. Sugumar
  Head, Department of Fine Arts (2004-2005)

Brief History of Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies (SVIAS)

The Swami Vipulananda College of Music and Dance was recognized as an Institute for higher learning for the purpose providing, promoting and developing higher education in Aesthetic Studies and officially affiliated to the Eastern University, Sri Lanka th with effect from 14^th of March 2005 through the Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – Extra ordinary dated June 3^rd 2005. The Institute has been named as Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies (SVIAS), Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The following Departments of Study in respect of the Discipline had been approved:

• Department of Carnatic Music
• Department of Dance, Drama and Theatre
• Department of Visual and Technological Arts

University Grants Commission had sent first batch of students from the academic year 2005/2006. All the teaching and non-teaching staff of SVCMD were officially absorbed to the SVIAS with effect from March, 2005 and Certain teaching staff were absorbed as Senior Lecturer and Lecturers (Prob.) while others were absorbed as Instructors on personal to the holder basis. Mrs. Balambigai th Rajeswaran, M.A (Music), M.Phil. (India) was appointed by the UGC as the first Director of SVIAS, EUSL with effect from 14^th of March 2005.