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Malinda wins Gratiaen for Edges
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Malinda Seneviratne receiving the award from Walter Perera, chairperson of Gratiaen Trust trustees. Pic by Mangala Weerasekera
The Nation newspaper’s Editor-in-chief Malinda Seneviratne was awarded the Gratiaen Prize 2013 for the best work of creative writing in English for ‘Edges’, a collection of poetry. Shortlisted writers included Chamali Kariyawasam and Inosha Ijaz, with poetry taking precedence in this year’s shortlist.
At a ceremony held in Colombo yesterday, Tissa Devendra, head of the panel of judges, commented on the “lively experimentation and multiplicity of expression” and variety of work submitted this year.
Mr. Devendra urged the Gratiaen Trust to go beyond the annual prize and to take steps to develop and hone Sri Lankan writing in English and create a more meaningful platform. Commenting on the mutability and lack of longevity of literary prizes and of trusts, Walter Perera, Chairperson of Trustees, said the Gratiaen Prize had been steering ahead through considerable work and support over the years, and was now in its twenty first edition.
The Gratiaen Prize is awarded annually for the best work of creative writing in English by a Sri Lankan, resident in the country and was established in 1993 by Sri Lankan born writer Michael Ondaatje. The prize is worth Rs. 200,000.