20 September 2019 01:46 am
A Buddhist monk, two Catholic priests, politicians, professors, housewives and even a young girl with a white cane were among the cream that received awards at the 62nd State Literary Awards held last week at the BMICH. With President Maithripala Sirisena as the Chief Guest and Sajith Premadasa as the Minister of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs in attendance, 42 writers from varied fields and in all three languages, emerged winners at this highest national platform that recognised literary excellence. While the 2226 selected literary
The event, with some expressive cultural performances interspersed, as customary, felicitated three outstanding literary figures with the “Sahithyaratna,” – the once a life time award. The first recipient was Prof. Walter Marasinghe who had contributed towards the enrichment of the Sinhala language and literature through the Sanskrit language and literature. His translations of Sanskrit Dramas earned him State Literary Awards. He had been decorated with Presidential Award “Vidyajothi” and DLitt by the Universities of Sri Jayawardenepura and Pali and Buddhist Affairs.
Aiyathurai Shanthan, a Civil Environment Engineer and lecturer in the same field, is a bi-lingual writer of English and Tamil. The first Tamil writer to have won State Literary Awards for English Creative Literature as well as for Literature in Tamil and English, his novels have brought him recognition both here and abroad.
Kamala Wijerathne who taught in rural schools as an English Graduate teacher, proceeded with higher studies offering English as a second language here and abroad. A prolific writer of poetry and short stories, her literary creativity had won her State Literary Awards many times. Her skills have been well recognised as she has been a regular invitee to present academic papers at international fora.
The event itself, reflected the active interest of the older generation in literary pursuits while a lack of interest among the young writers was quite evident. How they could be inspired and immersed in literary activity need to be focussed on. Making up for the lapses were women writers who were in full flight. They carried away the 6 prime awards in the Sinhala Section which included “The Best Novel” (Makaranandaya – Vivajini Tennakoon) “The Best Novel in Translation”
(Ran Varalath Liya – Niluka Kadurugamuwa), “The Best Collection of Short Stories” (Manussa Yantara –Piyaseeli Wijemanna), “The Best Literary Work for the Youth” won by Chitra Amarasekere along with Part 1 and 11 of Children’s Literary Works.
Women held sway in the English section as well winning “The Best Collection of Short Stories” ( I Exist- Therefore I am – Shirani Rajapaksa). “The Best Children’s Literary Work Part 1 and Part 11” which went to “Wardha’s Wonder Boxes” written by Zarina Mohideen Hizbulla and “Pandit Amaradeva” of which the writer was Abigail Jayasuriya, a young girl with impaired vision. The award for “The Best Poetry” won by the late Jean Arasanayagam, who probably won the most number of awards in the English section during her lifetime, was carried away by her daughter.
In the Tamil section, “Novel in Translation” was won by yet again a young girl – Anusha Sivalingam for her “Thara Shiamali Kumaraswamy”
The much sought after category “The Best English Novel” was won by Elmo Jayawardene, a Sahithyaratne recipient for his “Kakiyan” and “The Best Tamil Novel” was won by A. Uthayan for his “Aluvakarai.”Prof. Vini Vitarana’s “Gira Sandesaya” won the Award in the category of “The Best Poetry in Translation.” Last year, he won the same Award for “Kav Silumina.”
Sarath Amunugama whose “Lion’s Roar” earned him an Award in 2017, carried away yet again this year an Award for his “Dreams of Change.” “DS: Sri Lankawe Prathama Agramathya” won a past “Sahithyarathna” recipient, K.N.O. Dharmadasa an award under the “The Best Literary Work in varied Subjects: in Translation.” Another recipient of “Sahithyarathna,”Ariya Rajakaruna (deceased) won the Award for “The Best Translated Drama” for his “Madhyakaaleena Japan No Natya.”
Deshabandu Sirisumana Godage for the 34th time received the Award for the publication of the most number of nominated books selected for the State literary Awards.
State Literary Awards Ceremony - 2019 - List of Winners