71 and still yearning to learn

K.M. Sudu Banda may be the oldest student at Colombo University, but he still has many dreams to fulfil

They say a man’s age is something impressive: it sums up his life, his triumphs and failures and represents a fine cargo of experience and memories, knowledge and wisdom. At 71, an age where most people would be content to enjoy a well-earned retirement, K.M. Sudu Banda is still pursuing his dreams.

At the recent convocation of the University of Colombo, Mr. Sudu Banda from Ragama was conferred the degree of Master of Philosophy and he has now begun working on his thesis for his PhD with the hope of completing it in the near future. He may be the oldest person at the University, but this 71-year-old, with his knowledge and experience, willingness and determination to help anyone eager to learn, is an example to the younger generation.

Born in Nildandahinna (now Walapane) in the Nuwara Eliya district, he was from a farming family and recalls how he worked on the farm during school holidays. “I always knew that education was the way forward,” he said. “We were not rich and we faced many hardships, money was always scarce, but I knew I had the capabilities to do well in life.”

Mr. Sudu Banda first worked in the field of health services. He served as Secretary, Colombo Group of Hospitals/Director (Buildings) till 1990 and received scholarships to follow courses in health administration at the International Hospital Federation, London and University of Birmingham in 1975 and 1987 respectively. Obtaining the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, in 1997 he received the Master of Arts in Labour Studies from the University of Colombo. Prof. W.I.D.E. Silva, Head of the Department of Demography of the University of Colombo describes Mr. Sudu Banda as a dedicated and enthusiastic student.

Since his retirement from health services he has worked as Director-Administration at the National Institute of Business Management and as Head of Personnel Department at Lalaan Management Services. Currently he works as a consultant on human resource management and development concentrating particularly on the plantation sector.

At the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Colombo, his dissertation was titled ‘Competent & committed labour for development of privatized plantation sector of up country tea industry’. He spent three years doing fieldwork, research and surveys and through his dissertation explores issues relating to labour in the plantation sector and the changing attitudes of the younger generation. He concludes that by 2015 all those employed in the plantation sector would be over the age of 35, as the younger generation is gradually moving away from the plantation sector in pursuit of more attractive and urban jobs.

So what made him take on the plantation sector? He was always interested in trade unionism and this led him to consider the plantation sector and in particular the tea industry, which other writers and scholars have not explored thoroughly. “This presented me with an opportunity to write on a subject which is dear to me and to so many others in this country,” he said.

During his free time Mr. Sudu Banda conducts computer classes, English lessons and helps students (especially postgraduates) with dissertations and other reports. He says nothing gives him more pleasure than helping those willing to learn. On being the oldest person at the University, he says age doesn’t matter and he is honoured and privileged to be of service to society.