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They may be written under any title, in any style and consist of 1,500 words or less. You can also look forward to outstanding interviews with leading personalities in the field of literature, in our quest to improve our readers' knowledge of quality literature.

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' I have an obligation to Sri Lankan literature'

by Sajitha Prematunge

In grade nine it was way out of my league, in grade ten it was a choice between that or Eastern music (which I would have surely flunked), in grade eleven I was just comparatively better at it. But at the University I actually started loving it and literally understood more than seventy percent of what I read.

'The study of literature' is a peculiar thing. But if there's any one that can get you enthusiastic enough to embark on this delicate task, it's the critics. They broaden your perspectives and make the study of literature all the more interesting.
 

The editor of the Kaleidoscope and author of Sri Lankan English Literature and Sri Lankan People 1917-2003, Professor D. C. R. A. Goonatilleke is one such. He has served as the senior Professor of English, Head of the Department of English as well as Emeritus Professor of English, University of Kelaniya.

He acquired his Bachelors (Hons.) in English from the University of Peradeniya and Ph.D. from the University of Lancaster.

He has held a number of prestigious national and international positions such as founder-editor, Phoenix: Sri Lanka Journal of English in the Commonwealth; International Chairperson of the Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies. He's the internationally recognised authority on Sri Lankan English literature and is currently dedicating all his time to writing.

Q: How are the Sri Lankan writers faring compared to others?

A: It's true that we haven't produced great writers like R. K. Narayan or Achebe, but Sri Lankan writers are faring much better now than before. Post colonial literature has of late become an internationally recognised area of study, which is advantageous to our writers.

Q: Where do you picture the Sri Lankan writers heading?

A: For most pioneer Sri Lankan writers the countryside was their backdrop, which they knew little about.

The result was a very unconvincing picture. But later they switched to the more urban surroundings widening their concerns to public issues, such as the insurgencies and the ethnic conflict, breaking away from their class affiliations.

Moreover Sri Lankan novels were not full blown. Most Sri Lankan writers work part time and cannot afford the steady application a full-length novel demands.

However, though they work part-time they could still be professional. Larkin, T. S. Elliot and Auden were also part-time writers, but they were devoted to meeting the demands of their craft. Modern writers choose free verse because they believe it's easier to produce. But even free verse should fashion a form. Although it dispenses with metre it should still have rhythm.

Q: But so little guidance is given to the amateur writers?

A: Associations like the English Writers Cooperative and Wadiya Group are providing guidance in the form of workshops and publications. But a lot of my hope is riding on English departments of universities.

Before the 1960s the English departments were Euro-centric, which inhibited the undergraduates' creative capabilities. But now they are preoccupied with post-colonial literature. We can't completely disregard Mainstream literature, since it offers a wider range of creative possibilities.

Q: What do you think about science fiction?

A: It's an exiting new field, although in truth not new at all going well beyond Wells. But only recently became critically acclaimed. This reflects the recent technological advances.

It's more convincing when SF contains possibilities latent in technological advances, but if it goes beyond this it becomes unrealistic and unconvincing. Sri Lankan writers have exploited this before, of which Sir Arthur C. Clarke is the pioneer.

There are quite exceptional pieces such as Harsha Ruwan Wasalathantri's State Literary Prize winner Dimensional Wonders: The Time Trek and Priyanthi Wickramasuriya's An Old fashioned Book Shop.

Q: What's your opinion on the current state of literary criticism, in the local setting?

A: Not very satisfying. The reviews in local newspapers are clearly the result of favouritism and are rather old fashioned. On the other hand the universities are showing much more promise due to the new advances in Literary theory.

Q: Why do you think most critics mainly focus on Western writing?

A: Actually the tables have turned and now they are preoccupied with post Colonial literature. I hope the next generation will strike a balance.

Q: In your view what has been the contribution of expatriates, for Sri Lankan literature?

A: Some expatriates depict a degenerated picture of Sri Lanka, demonizing the country. I believe that Michael Ondaatje is an expatriate every one should be proud of.

His Anil's Ghost is not only very realistic it's also the only novel that had not degraded Sri Lanka. I hope that others can also emulate his attitudes towards Sri Lanka.

Q: In your book Sri Lankan English Literature and the Sri Lankan people 1917-2003, you talked about the lack of state patronage for literature, do you still see it as an inhibition for literary conquests?

A: As of late the Department of Cultural Affairs and Library Services Board has supported amateur writers by publishing their work. Publishers are also more keen on helping upcoming writers. Therefore there are many more avenues of publication for the novice.

Finally winding up the interview, Professor Goonatilleke said, "I feel I have an obligation to Sri Lankan literature. Most people migrate in search of better positions and fame. But it's important to know that they have the same chance of getting published in Sri Lanka, and no amount of fame can replace the contentment of being in one's own country".

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