Sinhala Short Story in Early 20th Century

Prof. Kulathilaka Kumarasinghe

Prof. Kulathilaka Kumarasinghe has taken a giant step in making the Short Story known to the wider English speaking world by compiling this anthology. He was able to present few writers who contributed for the origin and development of Sinhala Short Story. He holds a balance view in discussing different theories concerning the origin and development of Sinhala Short Story proposed by Martin Wickramasinghe and Wimal Dissanayake. The latter held the view that Sinhala Short Story developed following the influence of the evolution of Short Stories and Novels in world literature. However, this view is vehemently denied by Martin Wickramasinghe presenting the elements of the Short Stories found in the Jataka Katha (birth stories). They are comprised of two stories – the present and the past. Popular Short Story writer Arawwala Nandimithra also followed a similar structure to Jataka Katha in writing his Short Stories. It seems that his Short Stories were in accordance with the theory of Martin Wickramasinghe. 

Prof. Kumarasinghe also critically evaluate the contribution of the pioneers of the subject of Short Story writing. He deals with V. D. de Lanerole, the first Sinhala Short Story writer. He also takes up Martin Wickramasinghe as a prominent contributor to the art and technique of Sinhala Short Story writing. W. A. Silva is present as a veteran in fiction writing. He has popularised the Sinhala Short Story by writing six Short Story collections, though he has not clearly understood the difference between a novel and a Short Story. Hemapala Munidasa is present as one who had a clear understanding of the technique of Short Story writing. T. G. W. de Silva is present as a contributor of Short Stories to the Sinhala Newspapers. He has written fourteen volumes of Short Stories. He was a light-hearted and entertaining writer, presenting jokes in his Short Stories. The characters he created were mainly to criticize the weaknesses of society, and hence they do not reflect the true realities of life.   

Prof. Kumarasinghe as a lecturer on Sinhala Short Story for several decades at the University of Kelaniya holds the authority on the subject. He is well versed in the art and techniques of Short Story writing and knowledgeable about the veteran short story writers in the world. At a time when there is a dire need and interest among the English-speaking readership in the world on Sinhala Short Story, compiling of this anthology of Sinhala Short Story in Early 20th Century is a remarkable contribution. It contributes to broadening the knowledge of the subject in a wider audience in the world.  

Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Anthony Fernandopulle