State Literary Awards Ceremony:

Sahithyarathna titles conferred on three literary greats

Rasika Somarathna

The State yesterday conferred honorary titles on chosen distinguished Literati and gave away awards to other chosen writers, poets and academics in recognition of their literary work of excellence during 2008, at a simple but proud ceremony under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

During the State Literary Awards Ceremony - 2009 held at the Presidential Secretariat, the prestigious Sahithyarathna title was conferred upon Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam, Dr. K. Kunarasa and Prof. Ashley Halpe in recognition of their contribution to enrich Sri Lankan academia and cultural milieu in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages respectively.

Many other chosen poets, writers and academics were given awards in recognition of their outstanding literary renditions in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages during 2008.

Awardees had been chosen by an eminent panel of judges from a variety of categories such as Children’s Literature, Drama, Prose Non - Fiction, Poetry, Translations, Novels covering all three languages.

Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene addressing the gathering said the annual event to honour distinguished literati and recognize outstanding creations during the previous year had come to a successful conclusion with the awards ceremony.

Meanwhile, Cultural Affairs Minister Piyasiri Wijenayake told the country’s literati that as pulse of the society they had an added responsibility on their shoulders with the dawn of peace as their contributions were needed more than ever in realising the goals of longstanding peace and stability of the motherland.

Deputy Minister of Justice and Law Reforms V. Puthrasigamani, Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam and National Literary Panel Chairman Buddhadasa Galappathy also spoke.

The event was attended by prominent academics, poets, writers and their families along with politicians and the media.

The event was organized by the Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry Cultural Affairs Department and National Literature Sub-Committee.