THREE LITTERATEURS HONORED WITH 'SAHITYA RATNA' AWARDS AT 67TH STATE LITERARY AWARDS CEREMONY

Three distinguished litterateurs who have made an immense contribution to Sri Lankan literature were honored with the 'Sahitya Ratna' honorary award at the 67th State Literary Awards Ceremony.

This lifetime award, given only once, was presented to Senior Litterateur Somaratne Balasuriya for Sinhala, Veteran Litterateur M.A. Al Asumath for Tamil, and Veteran Litterateur Premini Amarasinghe for English.

The awards ceremony, which was chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, was held yesterday (18) at Temple Trees.

A total of 47 awards were presented to recognize literary works for the year 2024.

The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Sri Lanka Arts Council, and the State Literary Panel.

A number of senior and young writers across Sinhala, Tamil, and English languages were honored, with awards for categories including best cover design, best science fiction, and best translated novel.

In addition to the awards, certificates and cash prizes were also given to the authors of the winning works and those who were nominated in the final round.

List of Major Award Winners

Best Novel: Piyasara Samaya - Chandraratne Bandara

Best Short Story Collection: Nanperiyal - Nissanka Wijemanna

Best Poetry Collection: Me Vahunu Dora Janel Kotharam Shoka Janakada? (How Sad These Closed Doors and Windows Are?) - Tharindra Galwena

Best Translated Novel: Don Quixote - Gamini Viyangoda

Best Science Fiction: Fairbank Bahulo Pasala - Jayaratne Ihala Kodippili

Best Drama Script: Sihina Ragahala (Collection of Short Plays) - Dhananjaya Karunaratne

Best Literary Criticism: G.B. Senanayake's Role in the Sinhala Short Story - Prof. Jinadasa Danansuriya

Best Academic and Research Book: Methods and Methodologies of Folklore Studies - Sunanda Premasiri

Best Book with a Good Finish and Page Layout: Professor Gunapala Malalasekera - Parsa Gayan

Publisher that Published the Most Winning Books: Sarasavi Publishers

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Gampaha District MP Ruwan Mapalagama, Prime Minister's Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri, and senior litterateurs such as Dr. Ratna Sri Wijesinghe.