Drawing a ‘silver lining’ in prose

Ruwini Jayawardana

[Srimathie’s maiden book]

* Title: Silver Lining: A collection of Sri Lankan sort stories in English

* Author:Srimathie R. Weerasuriya

* Publication:

International Book House Private Ltd

* Pages: 111

* Price: Rs. 375

French writer Anaïs Nin once said that the role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.

According to Srimathie Weerasuriya the most aspiring quote for her writing is ‘write what you know’.

“It’s true that readers generally go for novels than short stories but for me short stories are a mode of experimenting writing in different styles. The themes that I have observed are most suited for short stories,” she expressed her ideas on how she began her stint with the pen.

She says that she believes in setting her work in a positive tone. Most of the lead characters in her stories are women from various age groups and set on simple everyday experiences.

“It comes out of instinct. Being a woman I am able to get into their mindsets and share their experiences through a feminine point of view. I can always draw inspiration from my childhood,” she explained adding that she believes her efforts have born fruit because many have made references to the strong-willed women in her creations.

“All these characters are lining in the society today. It might not be a particular person which I am addressing but some of them embody these characteristics. One particular story is based on my domestic helper’s early life. It all roots out of what I have heard and observed,” she noted. She had employed the flashback technique to drive home her message.

“When I began to pen down my thoughts I was amazed by how quickly the ideas flowed in.

“It is like meditating when you focus your mind on one particular subject. You recall and play certain episodes several times in your mind.

Then you intermix those experiences and add some imaginative scenes and in the end you have your story before you,” she said.

Srimathi is a graduate of Peradeniya University and had been employed at a number of institutions before working as a Deputy Director and later as Director of the Promotional Division for the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

She says that her skills at creative writing stemmed from her father, Piyasena Welaratne. He was a reputed writer and a school principal.

His talent had rubbed off on Srimathi who took to reading poetry as a teenager.

She had tried to analyze Somerset Maugham and Dr Zhivago during her stint at St Mary’s College, Veyangoda. Speaking about the plight of English readership in Sri Lanka Srimathi says that there is a ready readership for the English novel.

“Short stories were popular in the 1980s and early 1990s.

“Some young writers still experiment with short story writing before tackling a novel. It is a testing ground for them,” she mused.

Having published her maiden work she is now trying her hand at writing a Sinhala novel and another collection of short stories for children. She will be targeting the 11 - 17 age group.

“Even University students will find them interesting,” she added.

She says that Professor Ashley Halpe and Punyakanthi Wijenaike had plenty of words of wisdom to offer.

She expressed her gratitude to them and to Lanthi Pestonjee, Mangala Welaratne, Rohana Ariyaratne, Priyani Alawattegama and Kithsiri Weerasuriya for their help.

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