SINHALA DAY

Fairway Galle Literary Festival, for the third consecutive time this year, has a full day Sinhala programme on the 19th of January at the Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel, that brings together some of the most thoughtprovoking and creative poets, novelists, translators, columnists, theatre directors and critics for discussion, debate and readings.

“The Sinhala Day at FGLF is presented for the 3rd consecutive year this year. We have a very interesting lineup of writers, young award-winning poets, established novelists and theatre personalities who are interested in contemporary sociopolitical issues who will join the discussion forums” says Anomaa Rajakaruna, the coordinator for the Sinhala Day.

Discussion with Authors Shortlisted for Fairway National Literary Award 2018 (01.00pm - 03.00pm) Aruna Premarathne

Aruna Premarathne holds a BA Sinhala Special Degree from University of Colombo. He has translated and adapted several international theatre productions to Sinhala, and has won several awards for his tele-drama scripts. His most known tele-drama scripts are "Beddekulawamiya" and "Chess". His debut novel "Tharuwisulareya" won the Fairway National Literary Award 2018.

Padmini Senevirathna

Padmini Senevirathna holds a BA from the University

of Peradeniya. She is a retired school teacher. Senevirathna's debut novel "Na Gachchathi" received accolades from critics. Her second novel "Warana" got shortlisted for Fairway National Literary Awards 2018.

P.B Jayasekara

P.B Jayasekara is a Sri Lankan short story writer and translator. His short story, ‘Kotiya’ was awarded the first place at the Ravaya Literary Festival in 1993 and ‘Daruduka’ won the first place at the "Independent Literary Festival in 1994. His book ‘Alawa Kandulu Gini Gani!’ was shortlisted for the FNLA 2018.

Sepali Mayadunna

Sepali Mayadunna was the winner of the Fairway National Literary Award 2015 in the Sinhala Category for her book ‘Maha Sami’. Her latest book ‘Aththani Kanu’ was shortlisted for the Award in 2018.

Tharangani Resika

Tharangani Resika Fernando’s book ‘Deshadrohiyage Nirmala Hardaya’ was shortlisted for the FNLA 2018.

Translating Theatre Productions (03.15pm - 04.45pm) Asoka Handagama

Asoka Handagama is considered the leader of the third generation of Sri Lankan cinema. His films, ‘This is my moon'

(2000) which won the Woosok Award for Best Film at JIFF

2001 and “Flying with one wing” (2002) which won the Award for Best Asian Film at Tokyo International Film Festival focus on harsh socio –political realities in society, and explore new forms and narratives. His latest film “Asandhimitta” is his ninth full-length feature. He is also a television programme producer, writer and theatre director. His award winning theatre productions are “Bhumika” (1985), “Hena” (1987) and “Maghatha”(1989).

Achinthya Bandara

Achinthya Bandara is a Lecturer at the Department of Sinhala, University of Colombo and a visiting lecturer at University of Moratuwa, and SLIIT Campus. He has obtained his Bachelor’s degree from University of Colombo and La Trobe University, Australia and the MA in Linguistics degree from Texas Tech University, USA. He is a linguist, a researcher, a script writer and a public speaker.

Kaushalya Fernando

Kaushalya Fernando came to the national theatre with her role in Marat Sade in 1986 and conquered the Sri Lankan stage theatre portraying intense and challenging characters in plays such as the House of Bernada Alba, Men without Shadows, The

Respectable Prostitute, Death and the Maiden, Antigone, Blood Wedding, etc. In 2004, she directed Garcia Lorca’s ‘Blood Wedding’ in Sinhala and it was adjudged the Best Play of the Year at the National Drama Festival 2005 and she continued to direct plays particularly on women’s issues in Sri Lanka for several NGO’S. Kaushalya played lead female in a number of internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan films since 1996. She has won many national and a few international awards and commendation for acting. In 2016 she was awarded Professional and Career Women Award for her exceptional contribution and achievements in the field of Arts and Aesthetics