Five novels vie for Sri Lanka's richest literary prize
Short-listed contenders for third 'Swarna Pusthaka'
award announced by judges:
Five Sinhala novels written in 2008 have been short listed for the 'Swarna
Pusthaka' award, Sri Lanka's richest literary prize.
Awarded annually by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association (SLBPA),
the Swarna Pusthaka Awards program is held in conjunction with the
Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF), which takes place every
September.
The key players behind the ‘Swarna Pusthaka’ award |
Prize monies totalling Rs. 750,000 including the grand prize of Rs.
500,000 and Rs. 50,000 each to the authors of the five short-listed
novels will be presented at a gala awards ceremony at the BMICH on
September 18, 2009.
The five short-listed contenders this year are 'Sathyakama' by
Kathleen Jayawardena (M.D. Gunasena), 'E Pura Rejayoo Eya' by
Chandrasiri Palliyaguru (S. Godage and Brothers), 'Andakara Tharakawa'
by Karunadasa Sooriyaarachchi (Dayawansha Jayakody and Company), 'Podu
Purushaya' by Sunethra Rajakarunanayake (Sarasavi Publishers) and 'Bora
Thel' by Ven. Batuwangala Rahula Thera (Sadeepa Prakashana Mandiraya).
"The Swarna Pusthaka awards are intended to encourage a new
generation of Sinhala writers to produce good novels which will enrich
Sinhala literature," Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association President
Ariyadasa Weeraman said.
"Since this is the only awards even of its kind in Sri Lanka, we can
claim that the five short listed books are the best Sinhala novels
produced in 2008".
A total of 76 novels written last year were submitted for the award
this year. Judging for the award takes place in three stages. In the
first round 10 eminent judges in the panel each read every one of the
books submitted.
The five novels competing for the title |
Thereafter, the 10 best novels are short-listed and submitted for
further evaluation by a second panel of judges, who short list five for
the final round.
This year's panel of judges is chaired by top notch academic
Professor Tissa Kariyawasam.
This is the third Swarna Pusthaka awards ceremony organized by SLBPA.
Last year Samaraweera Wijayasinhe received the award for his novel
Swayanjatha. Subodalankaraya by Sunetra Rajakarunanayake, Seeru Maruwa
by Mahinda Ratnayake, Atawaka Putthu by Liyanage Amarakeerthi and
Battalangunduwa by Manjula Wediwardana were on the shortlist for the
award.
At the inaugural Swarna Pusthaka awards programme in 2007, 'Kanda
Pamula' by Karunadasa Suriyarachchi, 'Chandraratnage Bhavathara
Charikawa' by Daya Dissanayake, 'Kindura Gosin Wetunai Pura Madulle' by
Karunadheera Alwis, 'Ganthera Theraniya' by Erawwala Nandimithra and 'Tharu
Bambasara' by Rupa Sriyani Ekanayake were short listed for the award and
the authors shared the grand prize of Rs. 500,000 each winning Rs.
100,000.
The each award of Rs. 500,000 and the Swarna Pusthaka trophy are
presented to Sinhala novels published and registered at the National
Archives in the previous year. - PR |