Words of reconciliation: The way forward for state literary awards
At the 58th State Literary Awards ceremony held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre which brought forth the diversity of Lankan culture, eleven writers engaged in Tamil literature received the highest national awards.
The three luminaries who were presented the “Sri Sahithyaratna Abhidhanaya” award (garlanded from left) Elmo Jayawardena, Prof. J.B. Disanayaka and Dr. Mullei Mani with President Sirisena and others
This was out of the 15 categories set apart for the Tamil literati. Last year, only three Tamil contestants won national awards.
President Maithripala Sirisena in his address reiterated his call for national reconciliation – a call which would have struck a chord for a number of Tamil award winners.
The President stated that national reconciliation could be brought about through literature – which is more potent than any weapon and called on the Tamil community to pick up the pen to bring about reconciliation through writing.
The event, that saw elders holding sway with youth winning only four awards out of the 35, prompted the President to speculate whether modern technology was keeping away the younger generation from reading and writing – a development which he said needs to be taken into consideration when formulating national policies.
He also said he would propose to increase the value of cash prizes “not out of disrespect but in appreciation” of those who indulge in the noble occupation of writing.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his message to the awards ceremony spoke of a broader plan and to take meaningful steps for development of all aspects of arts and culture without confining them to an annual literary festival.
One of the few young winners
This year, 2000 books published within the year in all three languages were in the fray. According to A.M.A. Bandara, Secretary, State Literary Panel (SLP) which guided the event, books selected out of them were evaluated under 35 categories in four rounds by the SLP and by proficient external evaluators.
This was to ensure transparency and impartiality. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Department of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lankan Arts Council with the SLP organized the event with Senior Professor Kulatileke Kumarasinghe at the helm.
Award winners included professors, retired bureaucrats, employees of the corporate sector, journalists even politicians with Minister Champika Ranawaka carrying away the Award for his “Balaya Saha Balaya.” Jean Arasanayagam won this year as well, for the Best Play in the English Section.
It was disheartening though to find entries to the national contest depleting in the English section.
The prestigious “once a lifetime” “Sri Sahithyaratna Abhidhanaya” was awarded to three luminaries – Professor J.B. Disanayaka in recognition of his services towards Sinhala language and Sinhala literature, Dr. Mullei Mani, the veteran Tamil writer, author, dramatist, on whom the Jaffna University had conferred an Honorary Doctorate for his services to Tamil Literature and Captain Elmo Jayawardena “who defies definition.”
An aviator by profession, he is an award winning writer, philanthropist, and flight instructor among many other accomplishments.