Pilot as award winning author
Sachitra MAHENDRA
Sam's Story
Vijitha Yapa and Marshall Cavendish\
Rs 399. 170 pages.
The Last Kingdom of Sinhalay
M D Gunasena publishers
Rs. 1500 (Hard cover) Rs. 1000 (Soft cover)
850 pages.
Rainbows in Braille
Self publication
Rs. 500. 168 pages.
 Captain Elmo Jayawardena, a very long time ago, grew up in the calm
environs of Moratuwa save for the whine of big propeller engines in
Rathmalana Airport revving up to take off to faraway places. Tails
painted in brilliant hues that belong to giant airline companies marked
the destiny of the young lad to be an essential part.
The same destiny had other plans for the captain: writing and
charity. When the signs of being a writer grew up in him, the Captain
was enthusiastic to form his government approved charity AFLAC
(Association For Lighting A Candle). The organisation won him global
recognition and was featured in Forbes Global in 1999 and 2000 along
with the coveted Reader's Digest Everyday Hero Award. The
pilot-turned-writer Jayawardena has three books to his credit with one
being written. His writing earned him both Gratiaen and State Literary
Award. His latest publication 'Rainbows in Braille', a collection of
short stories, which is short-listed for Singapore Literature Prize, was
launched thrice: Galle Literary Festival, Singapore Literary Festival
and Byron Bay Literary Festival. The writer contemplating far beyond his
own world of blue skies spoke to Daily News Artscope
You are a pilot by profession, which consumes most of your time
in-flight. How do you manage with the busy schedules and writing?
My schedule is divided. Flying aeroplanes, writing books, maintaining
a journalistic life and my organisation AFLAC. Now being a journalist
means I have come across people from all walks of life. I kept company
with them and they gave me stories in exchange, hence Rainbows in
Braille.
How did you come across people of different cultures as created in
your short story collection?
Thanks to AFLAC. It is my passion in life. We are a link between
someone's generosity and another person's humanitarian need. The
computer is always on and now I have so many wonderful people from all
walks of life giving their time and energy to help people. Anybody can
see what we do on our website: www.aflacinternational.com. It's AFLAC
experience that inspired writing Rainbows in Braille.
There are 19 stories here, of people and events, of sadness and joy,
of hopes that got shattered and visions that were born. Of life's
rejoices and its sheer absurdities and desperations. So Rainbows in
Braille is a self-published book and the profits go to people who are in
need.
Rainbows in Braille has a paradoxic meaning. What was your idea when
this title came up?
 We all have rainbows, unfortunately we do not see them. We are all
blind to our blessings and read our rainbows in braille. In fact this is
the paradox in our lives. I have worked so long with poor people doing
my best to bring some meaning to their lives. When I seem them, I often
wonder what right I have to grumble. Then I see my rainbows in real
light and walk a day in contentment. The book is a total representation
of Sri Lanka and its silver lines of joy and regrettably its sad clouds
of darkness.
Your experience was creatively laid out in this short story
collection. This means all your stories are based on actual events.
Many of the stories are based on actual events. Anton in When you are
in Rome was my classmate. I have eye-witnessed the story of Horses on
the pavement. Kabal Wimal actually taught typing in my hometown long
time ago. Packy is part fiction part fact. I have seen so many
Ekanayakes, Saralis and and Silohamis in my life. They are the
unheralded people who bravely make attempts to change the tide and fail.
Can you explain about your previous books and pending publications
too?
My first printed book is Sam's Story, the story of war-torn Sri Lanka
bursting with people gasping for fresh breath, a better meal, and peace.
It won the Gratiaen prize in 2001 and was nominated for the
International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2003.
My second book is The Last Kingdom of Sinhalay, an 850-page
historical novel based on the fall of Kandyan Kingdom.
 I have consulted various sources of history, but my best source was
travelling through hundreds of remote village trails in search of old
temples and old men who remembered what they heard.
It is my favourite of all books I have so far authored, because it
has depth in its own way and it has no time frame. So it took 10 long
years to complete this novel. It won the State Literary Award. Actually
I wrote this first, but Sam's Story only took six months to complete. So
I gave it a start.
My next book will be 'Kakiyan, the story of a crow', beyond which I
simply do not know.
Your field is poles apart from writing. Yet now you are an award
winning author. How did you find it possible to cope with writing?
I have no formal education in writing, but it was self-teaching as I
am a veracious reader. I write short articles and I love writing. Now
that I have won both State Literary Award and Gratiaen, I am no longer
keen on achieving it. I haven't submitted 'Rainbows in Braille' to
either of the awards. I am simply happy with these awards, and I do not
need any more from these awards. Another young author deserves these
awards. I have submitted this to the Singapore Literary Festival,
because I have a Public Relations office there, and I will be able to do
more charity with the money I get. |
