Dilmah supports young writers at HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival

Future Writers with mentors Ameena and Shawn at the workshop

Future Writers with mentors Lal and Shrayana at the workshop

Authors Shrayana Bhattacharya and Lal Medawattegedara with moderator Artika Bakshi

Authors Ameena Hussein and Shawn Otto with moderator Artika Bakshi 

• Inspirational workshop and creative writing competition 
• Entries for Future Writers Competition now open until 28 February for aspiring writers

The Future Writers Program supported by Dilmah as part of the HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival is designed to ignite a passion for storytelling and open doors to lasting careers and valuable connections. 

The program in line with the festival’s vision aligns with Dilmah to provide an opportunity to build the creative community among youth and encourage the next generation of writers. Last year, the program attracted over 135 participants, each eager to develop their writing skills and share their unique stories. 

This year, as part of the program, a workshop moderated by Artika Bakshi was held on the second day of the festival, at the Colombo Public Library, where participants had the opportunity to learn directly from distinguished local and international authors. At the workshop, Ameena Hussein, who began her writing career at 29, shared her journey of transitioning from sociology to writing after a friend encouraged her to document her work. Shawn Otto, whose background in screenwriting has shaped his narrative style, emphasised the importance of structure in storytelling. Shrayana Bhattacharya, an economist turned writer, spoke about how writing begins with curiosity and a desire to answer questions. 

Lal Medawattegedara, a writer with a passion for reading, discussed how books spark creativity and fuel new ideas. These accounts exemplify that it is never too late to begin your writing journey. No matter your background or schedule, the path to becoming a writer is always open, just as it was for these accomplished authors.

The Future Writers Program is inviting all young writers aged 16-29 to participate in a creative writing competition with entries open until 28 February. The top three winners will receive cash prizes and the opportunity to participate in a mentoring session with esteemed authors. In addition, the winning story will be published on the HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival website, offering the author a platform to share their talent with a wider audience. The competition is an opportunity for aspiring authors to showcase their creativity and receive valuable feedback from respected industry professionals by writing on one of the two captivating themes: ‘Whispers from the Jungle’ or ‘Echoes of the Protector’. Entries for the competition are due by the 28 of February 2025. Submissions must be a 2,500-word original short story, written in English, and submitted as a PDF in Arial 16-point font with double line spacing. 

As a family business that values authenticity, passion and creativity, Dilmah has long understood the importance of nurturing individual stories. By supporting the Future Writers Program part of the HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival, Dilmah and the festival are providing young writers with the opportunity to refine their craft, learn from seasoned professionals, and find their voices in a world that is hungry for new stories. This partnership is an extension of Dilmah’s vision to foster creativity, cultural expression and youth development.

To enter the competition and find more details on how to submit your work, visit the Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival’s social media pages and website www.ceylonliteraryfestival.com.