This year’s Classical Forum which is organised by the Department of Classical Languages, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, will be held on July 13, from 8.00a.m. -1.30 p.m. at the Arts Faculty Seminar Room. The program is aimed at the GCE A/L students who study Greek and Roman Civilization as one of their subjects. Several topics from both history and literature will be covered and the students who are sitting for the exam this year are encouraged to attend.
The Classical Forum has been a highlight of the department. For years the Department of Classical Languages has a vibrant history of where many renowned scholars were produced far and wide. Prof. Merlin Peris who had translated many classical works from Latin and Greek to Sinhala, recently completed translating all the surviving comedies of Aristophanes. Also, the late Prof. D. P. M. Weerakkody had translated many works into Sinhala and the most central being Plato’s the Republic. Their achievements were many and perennial. Both these eminent professors along with Mrs. Shona Moldrich pioneered the Classical Forum. At the beginning, the Classical Association of Ceylon held meetings to the public and eventually, it was converted into a school forum which attracted the A/L students.
Apart from organising this outreach program, the department organises events for students as well as the public. The department has produced dramas based on the classical works in the past few years, including Hecuba by Dhisal Kapuge and Lokanthara by Muditha Dharmasiri. The most recent event was the Classics Trivia Tournament organised by the Classics Students’ Association which was in the form of a group competition and was open to all the undergraduates, past students, and the staff members of the University.