Award winner launches first Sinhala novel

Sandasen Marasinghe

Rohitha Brahmachari, a writer who was twice awarded the North-Western State Literary Award launched his first Sinhala language novel Neth Vahena Abiththata (in the blink of an eye) at the Inland Revenue Department on Tuesday. The book is published by the Art Circle of the Inland Revenue Department.

Brahmachari, a tax officer at the Inland Revenue Department is from Serukelley in Anamaduwa. He received his primary education at the Serukelley Primary School.

He received his secondary education at Anamaduwa Central College where he qualified for tertiary education. He graduated from the University of Kelaniya with a Sinhala Special (Honours) Degree in 2004.

While reading for his degree, Brahmachari received awards for his short stories and poems at competitions at inter-university level including best lyricist at the Wediya Nilla Literary Festival of the Rajarata University in 2002. He also received the award for the Best Short Story at the Himidiriyata Pera Literary Festival at the Moratuwa University in 2002.

He received an award at National Level for the first time when he was awarded the North-Western State Literary Award for the best short story collection in 2002. That was for his short story collection Rogeehu Thidenek (three patients). His maiden novel Neth Vahena Abiththata was awarded the North-Western State Literary Award in 2003.