Fairway National Literary Award 2015: Entries close with overwhelming response

Friday, 2 October 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

2015 September 28, COLOMBO; The entries for this new literary award initiated by Fairway Holdings closed on 15th September with a great response from writers and publishers, recording an impressive 89 entries for the first edition. Novels published in 2014/15 in the two national languages and English are eligible to win this prize. This award was initiated with the new tie-up that was formed between Fairway Holdings and Galle Literary Festival.

The FGLF will be held in three cities from this upcoming edition in an effort to take it to a wider audience. The festival would be held on 8-9th Jan 2016 in Kandy, 14-17th in Galle and 23-24th in Jaffna.

As the judges go to work evaluating the submissions, the short list is planned to be made public by end-November, giving critics the opportunity to review them on forums in national newspapers. Speaking to the press, Fairway Holdings Chairman Hemaka de Alwis had this to say. “We are encouraged by the response we got from writers and publishers, considering it’s the first time we are initiating such a national level activity. Through the Fairway National Literary Award, we hope to recognize and reward Sri Lankan authors and encourage them to strive towards excellence. The award also compliments the Galle Literary Festival, which we are very pleased to be associated with. Through the revival of this unique event, we hope to contribute towards the development of arts and culture of this country. For a country to be rich, peace and prosperity alone is not enough. Its people need to be culturally sophisticated.”

Up to five publications from each language will be shortlisted for this award and the best novel comprising the most excellent and creative work from each stream as per the decision of the panel of judges will be eligible for a cash award of Rupees Five Hundred Thousand. Additionally, every book that has been shortlisted will earn a reward of Rupees One Hundred Thousand. The Award Ceremony will be held in Galle, in January 2016 to coincide with the Galle Literary Festival.