Well-stocked, within one’s means:

Gamini Hall bookshops: second to none in Sri Lanka

By Ananda Kannangara

The younger generation’s reading of English books in our country is on the increase. Unlike earlier, even the elderly pay special interest in novels, magazines and books on various topics, a long-standing bookseller near the Gamini Hall roundabout Maradana, Peter Appuhamy said.

“There are eight book stalls along this pavement and all have been in the business for over 40 years. Some are dead and their grand-children are presently engaged in the business,” Appuhamy, a middle aged seller said.

Appuhamy said he opened his stall at Gamini Hall roundabout nearly 40 years ago, shifted from a small stall opposite the Maradana Railway Station.

“I purchased a few local English books from people and sold them at very reasonable prices. Thereafter, the business expanded gradually,” In 1975, another businessman, W.M.Premadasa started the very first pavement shop opposite the Maradana Railway Station. Thereafter, he shifted to Gamini Hall roundabout during the time of the Non - Aligned Conference in 1976.

The Colombo city was cleared during that time for security detail provided to foreign leaders to proceed to the BMICH from Katunayake Airport.

Sarath Thewarahennadi	Peter Appuhamy	Charith Warnasuriya

He said the Gamini Hall Roundabout is very familiar place for young and old readers in the country. Some readers usually visit the bookshops even from distant areas like Kandy, Chilaw and Badulla.

The book stall owners pay a monthly rental of Rs. 1,500 to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) for using the premises which belong to the CMC.

They also pay the normal taxes to the Government.

The bookshops have nearly 70 percent used local and foreign books as well as new books. Most of the new one are from England, Australia, India, Canada and other countries.

He said that they do have a few Sinhala books which are on important subjects like science, mathematics, accountancy and law.

At least 95 percent books that are available in their bookshops are English.

He said the majority of the local readers prefer books that are on science, computer, mathematics, commerce, music, engineering, law, and accountancy.

“We also purchase books from reputed local book importers such as Pitraban, Jaya Bookshop and so on,”.

He said the lending library system is very popular among readers, especially youngsters who prefer English novels.

“We have” a large number of members who visit our bookshops from every part of the country and they usually come to borrow books.

Some of them come from distant places like Kandy, Ratnapura, Chilaw etc”.

He said anyone who wishes to become a member, could visit any of the bookshops and borrow novels by paying a small amount and the lending rates are very low.

Another bookshop owner, Sarath Thewarahennadi said many readers visit bookshops, since some valuable books are not available in the leading outlets.

We have books to the value ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 50,000.

The first and second volumes of `Sigiri Graffity’, written by late Prof. Senarath Paranavitana in 1956 is not available even in popular bookshops other than in my shop,” Peter Appuhamy proudly said.

He said a copy of the book is sold at Rs. 25,000.

Charith Warnasuriya another owner said the book titled “Paradise’ Lost’, published in England was recently sold to a Sri Lankan citizen living in Australia for Rs. 150,000 and that was the highest valued book he had ever sold to a customer.

He said he also has a bookstall at the annual book fair, held at the BMICH every September.

He said their bookshops are also becoming very popular among foreign nationals and many who holiday in Sri Lanka visit their shops to buy used books.

They prefer history, tourism and other topics written on Sri Lankan wildlife.

Asked whether the customer are inclined to purchase used books, he said that books in English on important topics find good customers but, not used school textbooks.

Warnasuriya also appealed to the CMC authorities to provide them with toilet facilities and also the Police to allow their customers to park their vehicles opposite their bookshops.

- Pix: Vipula Amarasinghe