There is no record to prove such an act has prevailed in the ancient Sri Lankan educational institutions such as Mahavihara or Abhayagiri Vihara. In the post World War II era, a concept called ragging came into existence. Ragging is not an indigenous phenomenon, but a direct result of the British colonialism in Sri Lanka.[a] Soldiers returning from war re-entered the college and brought with them the technique of ragging learned in military camp. These techniques were used to make individuals fail as an individual, but succeed as a team. Eventually, when less military persons entered the universities, ragging lost its primary objective and became a violent and hazardous exercise.
Ragging continues to happen in most government universities and several private institutions.[3] In majority of the cases, ragging implies that seniors mocking and jesting at freshers. There is a certain period of time, usually the first few months in the university, assigned for each and every undergraduate to undergo ragging. This period is known as the ragging period. In Sri Lanka, several types of ragging can be observed.
Verbal torture involves indulging in loose talks. The freshmen may be asked to sing the lyrics of any vulgar song or use abusive language in the presence of a large number of peers.
During this time, seniors assign an abusive and demeaning nickname, known as card to the juniors and they have to be called by that name throughout their entire university life. In some universities, this nickname is changed to a less vulgar name after the ragging period. These aliases are used primarily as a means of preventing the university authorities identifying the students who are involved in ragging and other unlawful activities. The form of verbal ragging differs from one institution to another. In some universities, students have to memorize poems made up of filth and recite them in front of others.
source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragging_in_Sri_Lanka