Sri Lanka bookstall at London book fair
Latest books from Sri Lanka will be on display at the London Book
Fair at Earl's Court from April 19, 2010 on a joint initiative of The
Booksellers and Importers Association of Ceylon and the Sri Lanka Book
Publishers' Association.
More than 200 books recently published in Sri Lanka will be available
at the prestigious fair, which will be held from 19th to 21st April.
Booksellers, Librarians and
 professionals
from around the world visit this Fair, which is a very important
literary event at which the latest books from around the world are on
display and available for orders.
This is the first time that the two premier organisations associated
with Sri Lanka's publishing and retail trade are working together to
promote Sri Lanka books at the London Book Fair. In addition to books in
English, some of the latest Sinhala and Tamil books will also be
available at the Fair. A special 68 page publication, Books in print in
Sri Lanka 2010, with colour images of the books, has been specially
prepared for the event.
The occasion will also see the worldwide launch of two books. Glory
of the Royal Cities by Sunil Costa and Arathi by the late Nihal de
Silva. The Glory of the Royal Cities is the fascinating saga of the
ancient capitals from Tambapani to Senkadagala presented with colour
photographs and informative text. The book will be launched by the Sri
Lanka High Commissioner in UK, His Excellency Nihal Jayasinghe at 3 p.m.
on April 19 at the Sri Lanka stall at the London Book Fair.
Arathi is the unfinished novel of award winning Nihal de Silva who
lost his life in a landmine explosion in the Wilpattu National Park on
May 27, 2006 at the time he was writing the book. A prize of Rs. 100,000
or its equivalent in foreign currency is offered to any person from
anywhere in the world who finishes the novel in the style of the writer.
Nihal de Silva won the prestigious Gratiaen Prize and the State Literary
award for his book, 'The Road from Elephant Pass', which was made into a
successful film by Chandran Rutnam last year.
Vijitha Yapa, President of the Booksellers and Importers Association
and Vice President of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association said the
aim of the stall is to bring to the attention of the world the extensive
range of quality books on a variety of subjects published in the island.
"We chose the London Book Fair because it is here that people come
looking for the latest books published in English," he said. In
addition, the aim is to put books published in Sri Lanka into the
libraries of the world and to market them to foreign publishers for
translation rights and re-publication in other countries.
Inquiries from potential buyers of books and rights will be directed
to the respective publishers. He added that the printing industry in Sri
Lanka is very advanced and the display of the books and the quality of
printing will also lead to inquiries and orders which will benefit the
local printing industry.
The Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of Samayawardhana,
Sarasavi, Jeya, Makeens and Vijitha Yapa bookshops will be present at
the stall daily to meet with buyers, publishers, academicians and
librarians of institutions. |
