Beyond the bookshelf: Sarasavi’s mission to make Sri Lankan stories heard
For Amendra Haputhanthri, books are not merely products — they are instruments of knowledge, character, imagination and change by Ifham Nizam There are books that entertain, books that educate and books that change the way people see the world. And then there are books that allow people to see themselves. For Amendra Haputhanthri, Director of […]
Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd, headed by Director Amendra Haputhanthri, is on a mission to make Sri Lankan stories heard by spotlighting Sri Lankan English writers on international shelves. This initiative extends beyond merely selling books; it aims to foster personal growth and broaden perspectives through literature. Haputhanthri's passion for Sri Lankan English writing began with her discovery of authors like Ashok Ferrey, Michael Ondaatje, Shyam Selvadurai, and Carl Muller, who had published their works overseas.
This revelation led her to introduce a dedicated space for local authors in her shop and to actively promote their works. A pivotal moment occurred when she attended the 30th Gratiaen Trust award ceremony and heard Michael Ondaatje speak about the impact of finding his own literary reflection in books. This inspired Haputhanthri to emphasize Sri Lankan English writers in her shop, creating a space where these authors could have their stories amplified.
The event, Fairway Street of Stories, organized by Sarasavi from September 4 to 6, will feature over 1,000 titles by Sri Lankan English writers and a variety of activities to engage the community. Haputhanthri believes that books should offer value, personal growth, and a reflection of one's identity. Her mission is to ensure that no Sri Lankan stories go unheard, adding value to readers and enriching the literary landscape.
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.
