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Shehan Karunatilaka: ‘I may write about 2022 Lanka protests in 20 years’

Published

3 years ago

2023/02/13

Booker Prize-winner Shehan Karunatilaka is unlikely to make the protests of 2022, in Sri Lanka, the theme of a book anytime soon.

“I’m not a journalist. I wait 20 years, look back, make sure anyone who could take offence is dead and then I write. It’s a self preservation thing. If you’re talking about south Asia, you know what it’s like. If you talk contemporary stuff, it can be quite dangerous,” says Karunatilaka, winner of the Booker Prize 2022 for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, which is set in 1990, against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s civil war. “By the time I get to 2022, it will be 2042,” said a report published by the Times of India yesterday

During the session, ‘From Mauryas to Mughals’, on the first day of the Times Litfest in Bengalaru, Karunatilaka said that there is a sense of wonder at how Sri Lankans can unite around a single event — as with the 1996 World Cup win, in the midst of ethnic strife, or last year’s protests. “We were all on the streets on July 9 (2022). It was a tremendous moment. It proved this divided country can unite behind a single idea, even if the idea is to go home to the President,” said Karunatilaka, during his session at the Times Litfest, adding wryly he usually watches protests from a safe distance.

Karunatilaka spoke about how the narrative around the protests has already changed and the protests are now being “demonised”. “That is the thing about events in Sri Lankan history. Many narratives are written and there is no definitive narrative.”

He said his first published novel, Chinaman, was the first time he saw a project through. “Once you get an idea, writing the next 300 pages is the tough part.” But research for his cricket-themed novel was easy: watching cricket matches, set in the time of Sri Lanka’s World Cup win, and “hanging around with drunken uncles”. Following his Booker win, publishers in both China and the US plan to publish Chinaman, albeit with the title changed, even though it is widely used cricketing jargon for a left-arm leg spinner. “It’s the one thing America and China agree on. The title of my book needs a change.”

Of his unpublished first novel, Karunatilaka said, “I was wise enough to know the book did not work, and I moved on.” On his soon-to-be-released collection of short stories, which he decided to compile after he realised that he had written more than 30 over several years, he quipped, “Short stories are what I did while I was procrastinating on novels.”

Asked if he had any advice for aspiring young authors in the audience, he said, “Write only if you find a story will not leave you alone and you are the only one who can tell it the way it should be told.”

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Former provinces governor and veteran lawyer M.P. Jayasinghe passes away

Published

4 mins ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

Jayasinghe

Former Provinces Governor and veteran lawyer M.P. Jayasinghe has passed away. He served as the Governor of the Uva and North Central Provinces during the presidency of Maithripala Sirisena.

Jayasinghe was a multi-faceted professional who practiced as a lawyer for over 45 years. An alumnus of the University of Ceylon, he held a Special Degree in Commerce and shared his knowledge as both a teacher and a lecturer during his distinguished career.

His remains are currently lying at his residence at Poornawatta, Kandy.

The final rites will be performed today (15th) at 12 noon at the Mahaiyawa General Cemetery in Kandy.

By S.K. Samaranayake

News

Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026

Published

4 mins ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL), on behalf of the Commonwealth Chess Federation and the World Chess Federation (FIDE) will be conducting the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa from May 17-25. This event has attracted 350 foreign players representing 14 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Kenya, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, Singapore and South Africa) and an equal number of Sri Lankans.

The President of FIDE and former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Arkady Dvorkovich – Former, will attend the event

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The guidance of Religious Leaders is essential to strengthen coexistence among communities. — Prime Minister

Published

13 hours ago

2026/05/14

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the guidance or religious leaders is essential to further strengthen harmony and solidarity among communities in multicultural areas such as Anamaduwa, where Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities live together.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the official ceremony of presenting the Sannas Patra to confer the title of Chief Sanghanayaka of the Rajavanni and Kumaravanni two provinces upon Venerable Dharmakeerthi Sri Pangnananda Nayaka Thero of Anamaduwa. The ceremony was held on Wednesday (13) at Sudampaya, Anamaduwa.

The event was held under the patronage of the Anunayaka Thero of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya formally presented the official declaration appointing Venerable Dharmakeerthi Sri Pangnananda Nayaka Thero as the Chief Sanghanayaka of the Rajavanni and Kumaravanni provinces. The ceremonial Vijinipatha was presented by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister stated:

“Venerable Dharmakeerthi Sri Pangnananda Nayaka Thero of Anamaduwa is a distinguished member of the Maha Sangha who has rendered invaluable service to both the Buddha Sasana and the education sector through the country nearly 50 years of monastic life and 35 years of service as an educator.

His service is not confined merely to religious observances. He has sheltered the children and people of the area in times of both hardship and happiness. In particular, it is important to remember the humanitarian leadership he demonstrated in providing relief to the people of the Puttalam District affected by cyclone Ditwah, which became a source of strength for the entire region.

His dedication towards restoring and preserving historic religious sites, including the Paramakanda Rajamaha Viharaya, for future generations is commendable.

As the government strives to lead the country towards ’a new era of renaissance’ built upon compassion and solidarity, the guidance and blessings of religious leaders such as him are of immense value to the government”.

The occasion was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha representing the three Nikayas, clergy of other religions, and attended by the Governor of the North Western Province, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Chandana Abayarathna, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara, Members of Parliament, government officials, and a large number of devotees.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]