Fairway National Literary Award 2015

The Galle Literary Festival has acquired a new chapter with Fairway Holdings entering the Festival with a brand new award, recognizing the best literary work in Sinhala, Tamil and English by Sri Lankan authors. Novels published in 2014/15 in all three languages will be eligible to win the Fairway National Literary Award, which came into being following the new tie-up between Fairway Holdings and Galle Literary Festival. former has extended its support as the title sponsor for the next three years.

The Festival is scheduled to be held is three cities from this upcoming edition in an effort to take it to a wider audience. The festival will be held in Kandy, Galle and Jaffna on January 8-9, 14-17 and 23-24, 2016, respectively. Fairway Holdings Managing Director, Hemaka de Alwis, said they would be introducing the Fairway National Literary Award for the authors of the best novels in Sinhala, Tamil and English at this year's Galle Literary Festival. "Through this recognition and reward we hope to encourage, develop and drive Sri Lankan authors to strive for literary excellence," he added.

Five publications from each language will be shortlisted for the award and the best novel comprising the most excellent and creative work from each stream as per the decision of the panel of judges will be eligible for a cash award of Rs 500,000 Additionally, every book that has been shortlisted will earn a reward of Rs. 100,000. The Award Ceremony will be broad based in three main cities of the island with the intention of reviving creative writing in different geographical areas. Thus the Award for the Best Novel in Sinhala will be held in Kandy, the Award for the Best Novel in Tamil in Jaffna and the Award for the Best Novel in English in Galle to coincide with the landmark Galle Literary Festival.

Entries will be open from 1st August 2015 till 1st September 2015. Entry forms can be downloaded from the web site www.fairwayholdings.com or obtained by sending a self-addressed envelope to 'The Coordinator-Book Award, 'The Fairways' #100, Buthgamuwa Road, Rajagiriya 10107.' Alternatively, you may contact them on +94 117 586586. www.fairwayholdings.com or by sending a s elf-addressed e [email protected] via email.