Saturday, 14 September 2013 00:00
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The 15th Colombo International Book Fair opens today (Saturday, 14 September) at 9 a.m. at the BMICH premises.
In addition to a record number of Sri Lankan publishers, 50 foreign publishers are participating this year. These range from Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, Penguin, Scholastic, JAICO, Periplus (Singapore), Berlitz (Germany), IRH Press Japan and APA Insight, Harper Collins India and Asian Educational Services.
Nearly 500 new books published in Sri Lanka will be on sale in addition to over 100,000 titles on myriad subjects.
Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association President Vijitha Yapa said that the aim of the book fair is to make publications available to a wide cross section of the Sri Lankan public. “Sri Lanka has a literacy rate of 92% and we hope activities like this where a lot of concentration is on educational books will enable the country to reach 100% literacy soon,” he said.
Professor Sunil Ariyaratne will be the Chief Guest at the opening of the book fair, which is organised jointly by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association and the BMICH. A number of book publishers have sponsored the event. Sarasavi Publishers is the Chief Sponsor.
Special discounts are available to all book lovers who attend the fair. While students in uniform, young children and members of the armed services are admitted free, a nominal fee of Rs. 10 is charged per day for others. The funds collected from this are credited to a special scholarship fund, ‘Daru Dari’ which is used to give scholarships to poor students who have gained entrance to universities. In addition to the books on sale there are many other events including book launches where authors and specialist speakers will participate. In the evenings there are cultural events including dramas and music. On Poya Day, 19 September there will be a special performance by Drum Maestro Ravi Bandu while on Sunday, 15 September Bandula Eheliyagoda will present a special musical event.
There is a special kiddies’ corner where reading events, magic shows, face paintings and literary events will be held.
The book fair is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from 14 September to 22 September. The inclusion of two weekends and the Poya day means that people will be at leisure to attend this event which attracts over two million visitors. The Education Department has also made funds available to 100 schools for students and staff to visit the fair and to purchase the latest books.
