When Sri Lankan stories find their own voice
…Sarasavi takes English writing beyond the bookshelf — and dreams of taking Sri Lankan stories to the world By Ifham Nizam What happens when readers finally see themselves in the pages of a book? For Amendra Haputhanthri, Director of Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd, the answer is profound: something changes. A place, a culture, a memory […]
When readers finally see themselves in the pages of a book, their world expands. For Amendra Haputhanthri, Director of Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd, the impact of this literary discovery is profound. "Nothing is as exciting for us as finding our own place or our own stories in a book," Haputhanthri states. This conviction forms the basis of Fairway Street of Stories, a three-day literary event designed to spotlight Sri Lankan English writers and their stories, taking place from September 4 to 6 at the Dutch Hospital Precinct.
The event features more than 1,000 titles by Sri Lankan English writers, along with author readings, book signings, children's activities, an open mic session, and a unique book club quiz. Eight authors will participate in readings and meet-and-greet sessions, offering readers a chance to meet the creators behind the books. Two book clubs, each represented by four members, will compete in the quiz, with the winners receiving a one-night stay at Fairway Hotel and the runners-up receiving a book pack and Sarasavi discount voucher.
Fairway Street of Stories is more than a mere book fair; it symbolizes a larger mission to bring Sri Lankan English writing to the forefront and cultivate a stronger reading culture. Haputhanthri recalls her initial encounter with Sri Lankan writers published overseas, such as Ashok Ferrey, Michael Ondaatje, Shyam Selvadurai, and Carl Muller.
Reading their works in a foreign language sparked a deep sense of connection, making the stories feel more personal than those from New York or London. This experience inspired Haputhanthri to give greater prominence to Sri Lankan writers writing in English on Sarasavi's shelves.
The realization of this vision became evident during a conversation with Jeremy Muller, son of Carl Muller and founder of Jam Fruit Tree Publications. Muller had written around 200 manuscripts, but only one ever saw the light of day. The rest were burned, leaving countless stories unreached. Haputhanthri saw this as a loss for the literary world and a testament to the responsibility publishers and booksellers bear in promoting emerging voices.
Sarasavi's role extends beyond selling books, according to Haputhanthri. The company aims to make books available and contribute to an educated generation with good morals. The event coincides with Sarasavi's vision, with discounted book prices and a focus on encouraging readers to engage with authors and the written word. Books, for Haputhanthri, should offer more than just entertainment; they should facilitate personal growth and shape character.
This philosophy, deeply rooted in Sarasavi's founder's love for reading, is at the heart of Fairway Street of Stories.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
