Book Launch

Memorable Tidbits including the Jaffna Library Fire

Former Senior DIG Edward Gunawardena's Memorable Tidbits including the Jaffna Library Fire will be launched at the Mahaweli Centre, Colombo 7 on January 19 at 4 p.m.

In the book the author recalls the pristine beauty of Battaramulla, the travails of schooling during the World War II, life at Peradeniya University in the early fifties, interesting episodes of people, places and events of the latter part of the 20th century, amazing gimmicks of maverick politicians of the time, meeting celebrities such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Yuri Gagarin, the construction and opening of the Bandaranaike Samadhi and Dudley Senanayake.

Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera and Prof. Carlo Fonseka will participate as the chief guests.

Valuka

Shanthi Dissanayake's latest Sinhala novel Valuka was launched recently as a Sarasavi publication.

She is the author of several other novels such as Varamal, Agni, Vankagiriya, Sangramaya, Hiru Mandala, Hendava, Dolosmaha, Varna Nikini and Dedunna. She has also published two short story collections entitled Komadu Etaya and Sarungal.

Let's welcome the New Year

The silvery chimes of Church and Kovil bells
And the rhythmic beat of temple drums
Will echo through this breezy isle
To warmly greet another New Year
Filled with renewed hopes and seasonal cheer
To give a better life to all of us here
Through the Mahinda Chintanaya.
There's no doubt
That with the dawn of this New Year
Sri Lanka will stand upright
In a spirit of true reconciliation
To live in peace, harmony and prosperity
For a bright and hopeful future
With people's aspirations reigning high.
So, let's welcome this New Year
With the traditional fun and frolic
Associated with its cheer,
Wishing Sri Lanka to flourish
Making our national unity to nourish
All of us and to foster
Peace and harmony, hope and goodwill,
For lasting happiness and prosperity
Throughout the New Year
Filled with all seasonal cheer.

- Andrew Scott

Exchange

Mother O! Mother beloved,
Hearken to my entreaty
Relieve me of the burden
Of the cumbrous weight
Of metal all over my frame
Chain pendulous, round the neck,
Torso bound by a thick belt
Bracelets dangling round the wrists
Feet covered by footware of the same metal
Head gear, in addition, is embedded with stones
Of variegated hue and shapes
Having been thus treated you keep me
In solitary confinement
Within this manor mansion
To me a veritable gaol
Precluding free movement
Behold those lads yonder in the streets
Seemingly of the same age as I am,
Running hither and thither in gay abandon
And waywardness with freedom and levity,
Their sonorous laughter reverberating in the air,
Jollity and spree enlivening even
the environment into wakefulness,
While I remain incarcerated in this
So-called mansion. What folly is this, pray.
You are far too young my son to understand
the nature of things.
Being the only progeny, you are the
Heir to the throne it is
Your father's decree that you be
Kept informed of your worth.
The metal you are speaking of,
Is precious burnished solid gold.
Stones are the choicest gems
Of value incalculable.
The lads you are referring to,
Are urchins poor, and wealth disposed.
While you are rich, abundant wealth possessed.
Having no abode to choose,
they have no choice
Other than the street.
They bear no repentance of the dissolved yesterday.
They have no aspirations
Of the unformed tomorrow,
They only have today, and live today.
If that be your definition of the scenario.
I would gladly part with these
metallic ornaments
In exchange for poverty.

- Kamal Premadasa

Nomarena Minissu

Award-winning author Jayakody Seneviratne's Nomarena Minissu will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Bookshop, Colombo 10 on January 15 at 10 a.m.

Jayakody is the author of many other Sinhala novels such as Kumarihamy, Kirigedara, Vajirapani, Urachakramalaya, Panchakalyani, Swarnavarna, Rubara Doni, Hituwakkari and Ridi Sela.

Nomarena Minissu is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.

Sathange Diyaniyo

Ranjith Kuruppu's latest book Sathange Diyaniyo was launched in Colombo recently as a Surasa book. It is the authentic Sinhala translation of the German book WIR KINDER VOM Bahnhof Zoo.

Ranjith Kuruppu is the author of several other translations such as Maranaye Doratuwa, Yuddhaye Athuru Kathavak, Hitlerge Avasanaya, Kantharaye Kusuma, Kantharaye Daruvo, Ginimeda Sakmana and Gimhana Geethaya.

Beddata Handa Payavith

Piyadasa Udawatte's award-winning novel Beddata Handa Payavith will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Bookshop, Colombo 10 on January 8 at 10 a.m.

It is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.