National Literature Awards 2009

Anuradha KODAGODA

Awards will be presented to the best book published last year at the National Literature Award Ceremony 2009 to be held on September 14.

"Of the 950 books published last year in Sinhala, English and Tamil, we have selected 32 books after three competitive rounds and we are hoping to select the best book from each category and from each language.

"We are offering them awards, certificates and cash awards to appreciate and encourage the authors," the National Literature Subcommittee Chairman Buddhadasa Galappatthi said.

The National Literature Award Ceremony 2009 will be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat.

Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Cultural Affairs Minister K. Piyasiri Wijenayake will also participate.

"Unlike previous years, the final results will be announced at the Award Ceremony on September 14 and we are hoping to publish the 'Literature - 2009 Special Edition' which is compiled by the National Literature Subcommittee, and a literature magazine which published once in three months. Five biographies of world famous literati will be launched at the event," Galappatthi said.

The Sahithyarathna award will be awarded this year as well for three veteran literati in Sinhala, English and Tamil mediums, who have contributed greatly to the betterment of literature.

This year the award will be presented to Dr. Thissa Kariyawasam, Prof. Kandaiya Kunarasa and Dr. Ashley Halpe.