Listen to the Gratiaen shortlist of 2016 live at Orion City

The Gratiaen prize which was instituted by Michael Ondaatje in 1992 is awarded annually to the best work of literary writing in English by a Sri Lankan resident. This prize, which is named after the mother of Michael Ondaatje, Doris Gratiaen, is intended to encourage English writing by Sri Lankans. 

With over 55 submissions this year, a panel of three judges went through each submission individually to shortlist five applicants. The judges for the Gratiaen Prize 2016 are: Prof. Sasanka Perera, eminent academic and social and literary commentator (chair); Chandana Dissanayake, academic and creative writer; and Ruhanie Perera, theatre and performance practitioner, lecturer, researcher and curator of arts events. 

The announcement of the shortlisted entries for the Gratiaen Prize 2016 took place at the British Council Library situated in Colombo 3 on 3 April.

The Orion City British Council Library situated in Colombo 9 will be hosting a reading of the five shortlisted publications. The event will be held on Tuesday 16 May at 4:30 p.m. The shortlisted authors are:

1. Jean Arasanayagam 

2. Rizvina Morseth de Alwis 

3. Shehan Karunatilaka 

4. Charulatha Abeysekara Thewarathanthri

5. Vivimarie VanderPoorten

For enquires contact the Library Help Desk at Orion City on 011 315 9567.