Book Launch

First Copy

Well-known author of supplementary school books and senior lecturer, W.O.T. Fernando, recently presented the first copies of a collection of new books published by him to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This collection includes Ayathana Sangrahaya Saha Avabodhaya and Mudal Regulaasi Saha Avabodhaya to serve as guides for public servants studying the Establishment Code and the Financial Regulations.

The Vague Poetess in Sinhala

'Noindul Kivindiya' by Upul Abeyratne, a translation of 'The Vague Poetess' by Shavindra Fernando (1999) was published along with a second edition of the English original recently. The book was printed at Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, Commercial Printing Division and is available at: Lake House, M.D. Gunasena, Sarasavi, Vijitha Yapa, Odel, Godage and Dayawansa Jayakody bookshops.

Synopsis:

A University theatre company attempts to produce Garcia Lorca's 'Blood Wedding' at a time of social unrest. The winds of rebellion eventually disrupt student life and the University is indefinitely closed. The players who are at loss to do something with themselves cling to their play, determined to go on the boards and became famous.

Their escape into the little world of the theatrical is perceived as reactionary by students who are already drawn into the quagmire of anarchical politics. The scene unfolds amidst real and imaginary revolutionary fervor. The protagonists of the play discover their real selves and their motive in attempting to fashion the lives of those around them, as they search for order.

Rehearing the theme of violence in the play, some of the players drew parallels to the brutality around them. When the play fails in public performance and theatrical ambitions are shattered, the grim realities of life come home to the cast. As the curtain falls, an actor is engulfed in the flames of subversion. But it dawns to the others that amidst the murder and mayhem, life goes on, and the girls will soon get married.