Vidyodaya Literary Award Ceremony 2019 which was organized by the Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in parallel to the 60th Aniversary Celebrations of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, was held on 3rd of September 2019 at Sumangala reading hall. This is the first and exclusive literary awards ceremony conducted by a Sri Lankan university.
This award ceremony was graced by the Emeritus prof. Sunil Ariyarathne; guest speaker of the ceremony and pioneer of this award ceremony. In addition, Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge, Vice-Chancellor, USJP, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda; Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, scholars, academic members, and the nonacademic members participated in this event.
This year Vidyodaya Literary Awards were disseminated among following authors that represented 5 literary categories.
Best poetry collection
“Pembariyagen wen wunu Lulek harei alakata” – Timran Keerthi
Best lyrics collection
“Sarasa Wasanthaya” – Mr. Nilar N. Kassim
Best short story collection
“Swarnakaya” – Prof.Prabhath Jayasinghe
Best novel
“Makaranandaya” – Wirajini Tennakoon
Best Newspaper article collection
“Manige Theeruwa 3” – Sundara Nihathamani De Mel
3 lyrics collections out of 8, 5 poetry collections out of 50, 5 short story collections out of 62, 5 novels out of 138, 5 newspaper articles out of 15 were selected as final round nominees for this year’s vidyodaya literacy awards.
Dr. Sunethra Kankanamge; Senior Lecturer, Dr.Hansamala Ritigahapola; Senior Lecturer, Rev. Dr. Nawalapitiye Anuradha Sudhammika; Senior Lecturer, Dr.Kusumalatha Lankamulla; Senior Lecturer, Dr.Senani Harischandra; Senior Lecturer and Head of the respective Department were among the judging panel of the Awards Ceremony.
This evening was brightened by the songs of Mr. Dayan Witharana, Mrs. Indika Upamali and Mr. Iman Perera.
