The Gratiaen Trust unveiled the shortlist for the 32nd Gratiaen Prize on Monday (28) at the British Council, Colombo 3.
The evening began on a sombre note with a moment of silence in memory of Prof. Harshana Rambukwella, a trustee of the Gratiaen Prize and a literary scholar, whose recent passing was deeply felt across Sri Lanka’s literary community.
A heartfelt tribute was delivered by Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, followed by addresses from British Council Country Director Orlando Edwards and Gratiaen Trust Co-Chair Nafeesa K. Amiruddeen.
This year’s longlist featured a rich blend of emerging and established voices, including several unpublished manuscripts. The works selected for the longlist were:
• He Was God’s Child Too by Upali Mahaliyana
• Her Truth by Binendri Perera
• Kata Katha: Gossip, Rumours, and Idle Talk by Savin Edirisinghe
• Nowhere No Return by Ajith Parakum Jayasinghe
• The Warm South by Vihanga Perera
• The Way It Is by Shirani Rajapakse
• The Whispering Ghouls of Paradise by Vasantha Senanayake
• Twice Upon a Lifetime by Ayathurai Santhan
• Wombful of Weeds by Ranudi Gunawardena
The 2024 jury comprises Prof. Gregory Pardlo (Chair), Dr. Crystal Baines, and Savithri Rodrigo.
Dr. Baines announced the five finalists:
• He Was God’s Child Too – Upali Mahaliyana
• Kata Katha – Savin Edirisinghe
• Nowhere No Return – Ajith Parakum Jayasinghe
• The Warm South – Vihanga Perera
• Wombful of Weeds – Ranudi Gunawardena
The Gratiaen Prize, founded by Michael Ondaatje in 1992, continues to serve as a beacon for English creative writing in Sri Lanka, spotlighting the literary imaginations shaping the nation’s contemporary canon.
