Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka has won the eighth Émile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature for “Les sept lunes de Maali Almeida.” The Booker Prize winner’s novel beat strong competition from Chinese and Korean works. The ceremony also launched the inaugural Inalco Student Prize for Manga, expanding recognition of Asian literary forms.
Shirani Rajapakse’s Offerings to the Blue God takes its reader along the least taken paths in the Isla’s life. The stories are characterised by a dynamic writing and presentation style, a unique voice that Rajapakshe’s stories often carry, and an unparalleled level of integrity that shines through in each story.
Bodhini Samaratunga is an accomplished emerging writer from Sri Lanka who is now based in Sweden. Her writing is firmly centred on social change, powered by her extensive experience as a medical professional working with marginalised populations. Bodhini is a strong advocate for purposeful writing, asserting that it transcends mere leisure.
The entire pack stopped and stood still. The four holding my ankles and wrists ran away. A few others, too, ran away with them. One bastard peed on my face and ran away with the rest. I collected all my strength, got up, and ran for my life. I have no idea where I ran.
Wonder. Those eyes were rounded with wonder the first time his glance caught them. The big rounded eyes, topped with the beautiful golden colour eyebrows arched in the same surprise made him fully turn his head towards those eyes and stare. They had the colour of a pale, grey sky.
The Asian Review 