Five novels vie for Swarna Pustaka award

Five Sinhala novels written in 2008 have been short listed for the 'Swarna Pusthaka' award, Sri Lanka's richest literary prize.

Awarded annually by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association (SLBPA), the Swarna Pusthaka Awards programme is held in conjunction with the Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF), which takes place every September.

Prize monies totalling Rs. 750,000 including the grand prize of Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 50,000 each to the authors of the five short-listed novels will be presented at a gala awards ceremony at the BMICH on 18th September 2009.

The five short-listed contenders this year are 'Sathyakama' by Kathleen Jayawardena (M.D. Gunasena), 'E Pura Rejayoo Eya' by Chandrasiri Palliyaguru (S. Godage & Brothers), 'Andakara Tharakawa' by Karunadasa Sooriyaarachchi (Dayawansha Jayakody & Company), 'Podu Purushaya' by Sunethra Rajakarunanayake (Sarasavi Publishers) and 'Bora Thel' by Ven. Batuwangala Rahula Thero (Sadeepa Prakashana Mandiraya).

'The Swarna Pusthaka' awards are intended to encourage a new generation of Sinhala writers to produce good novels which will enrich Sinhala literature," Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association President Ariyadasa Weeraman said. "Since this is the only awards event of its kind in Sri Lanka, we can claim that the five short listed books are the best Sinhala novels produced in 2008."

A total of 76 novels written last year were submitted for the award this year. Judging for the award takes place in three stages. In the first round 10 eminent judges in the panel each read every one of the books submitted.

Thereafter, the 10 best novels are short-listed and submitted for further evaluation by a second panel of judges, who shortlist five for the final round.

This year's panel of judges is chaired by top notch academic Professor Tissa Kariyawasam.

This is the third Swarna Pusthaka awards ceremony organized by SLBPA. Last year Mr. Samaraweera Wijayasinghe received the award for his novel Swayanjatha . Subodalankaraya by Sunetra Rajakarunanayake, Seeru Maruwa by Mahinda Ratnayake, Atawaka Putthu by Liyanage Amarakeerthi and Battalngunduwa by Manjula Wediwardana were on the shortlist for the award.

At the inaugural Swarna Pusthaka awards programme in 2007, 'Kanda Pamula' by Karunadasa Suriyarachchi, 'Chandraratnage Bhavathara Charikawa' by Daya Dissanayake, 'Kindura Gosin Wetunai Pura Madulle' by Karunadheera Alwis, 'Ganthera Theraniya' by Erawwala Nandimithra and 'Tharu Bambasara' by Rupa Sriyani Ekanayake were short listed for the award and the authors shared the grand prize of Rs. 500,000 each winning Rs. 100,000.

The cash award of Rs. 500,000 and the Swarna Pusthaka trophy are presented to Sinhala novels published and registered at the National Archives in the previous year.