Critique on the passing scene

Time has arrived to ponder on the quality and the content of the work of art particularly against the backdrop of increasingly crowning of works of art as magnum opus which in reality should have been relegated into the waste paper basket.

The need for Montage arises out of necessity to providing alternative platform for deserving works of arts and also in promoting and propagating celebrated Sinhala literary work in translations so that they could be appreciated by an international audience. In a way this move would also promote bi-lingualism in keeping with the Government's avowed policy of promoting English as a language skill.

Given the unique historical and cultural legacy that Sri Lanka is heir to, promoting Art and Literature is the best tool to reach international audience and to project Sri Lanka's image as a country with a rich culture.

Montage is dedicated to promoting international literature in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan Literature both in English and Sinhala beyond our shores. For instance, some of the masterpieces in Sinhala literature such as Gunadasa Amerasekara's literary work and academic work such as Dr. Sarath Amunugama's 'Maname Mathakwee' have not yet been translated into English or featured in an English newspaper. It is pertinent to state here that Gunadasa Amerasekara maintains a higher standard in his writing. This is present even in his latest publication, an anthology of short stories 'Wil Thera Maranaya'. The target audience of the Montage is school students (it will provide supplementary reading material for them), academics and scholars, professionals, teachers, students of other institutes of higher education, international community including Sri Lankan Diaspora prospective Sri Lankan writers and Artists.

We wish to create a forum for responding to literature in Sinhala, Tamil and English (Analysing works in Sinhala, Tamil and also responding to works in Sinhala and Tamil by way of articles on them). It is our objective to make Montage a gateway to Sri Lankan cultural Landscape. Therefore, we hope that readers would send us their comments on the maiden issue of the Montage.

Contribution by way of articles, reviews and comments on the content and the quality of this segment is welcome as long as they are constructive.

Montage always intends to step into areas where substandard works of art and literature are being awarded undeserved praise and accolades. Among the challenges we confront today are recognising talents in all spheres of activities, restoring standards and promoting higher quality of literature which can reach beyond our shores.

Montage takes this opportunity to salute the rich tradition of journalism bequeathed to us by pioneers in the field such as Regi Siriwardena, Benedict Dodampegama, Gamini Hathtthotuwegama, Jayavilal Wilegoda and Ajith Samaranayake.