Sal Mala Pinmala

Author Samanmalee Padmakumara

Presenting the book to the Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sidhartha Thera, Sangha Nayake of the Malwatte Chapter.

The author presents the book to Deputy Chief Sanga Nayake of Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Galagama Attadassi Thera.

The latest children's book entitled "Sal Mala Pinmala" by Samanmalee Padmakumara will be launched on May 23 at 4.00 p.m. at the International Buddhist Centre in Wellawatta.

Inspired by her childhood memories of attending Dhamma School (Sunday school) at Subadraramaya, the author has come out with an attractive book for children on the story or folk tale associated with the beautiful flower of Sal.

"Sal Mala Pinmala" (flower of Sal is a blessed flower) rekindles the cherished memories of any Buddhist who had derived spiritual nourishment from the Buddhist temple and the clergy. The author skilfully makes her childhood experience, an insignificant incident which led her to the discovery of the folklore associated with the magnificent flower of Sal, a collective experience.

The young readers of the book will find the story in the book naturally depicted in the flower Sal. The author, who has made a name for herself as one of the best children's authors in Sri Lanka, narrates the story of the flower Sal in a lucid language which is absorbing and comprehensible to the young readers.

The book is marked for its beautiful illustrations by Sasanka Dissanayake and photographs that the author herself has taken.

The illustrations and the photographs capture not only the motifs of Buddhist temple paintings in Sri Lanka but also the characteristics of Sinhalese culture.

The illustrator has skilfully captured the serene atmosphere of the Buddhist temple. Apart from appealing to the young readers, the book instill in them devotion and reverence of the Triple Gem.

(R. C.)

The author offering blossomed “Sal” flowers before a statue of the Buddha at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress’s Hall.

The book cover “Sal Mala Pinmala”