H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize for Literary Translation

2024 Prize Members of the Jury

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Michael Ondaatje also wanted to promote translations into English of Sinhala and Tamil language creative writing by Sri Lankans residing in Sri Lanka. His vision was that this would foster cross-ethnic relations and advance the international recognition of Sri Lankan creative writing in local languages. While translations came within the scope of the Gratiaen Prize at the beginning, in 2003, the Trust decided to award a separate Prize exclusively for translations to be awarded once in two years. This Prize was named the H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize for Literary Translation, after Michael Ondaatje’s close friend, first Chairperson of the Gratiaen Trust, and legendary librarian of the University of Peradeniya – Ian Goonetileke.

Both Prizes have now become a hallmark of the Sri Lankan literary calendar, eagerly anticipated by Sri Lankan writers, publishers, academics, students, and general readers both in Sri Lanka and overseas.

Past Winners of the H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize for Literary Translation

2021-2022 - Manel Eriyagama for Jewels: An English Translation of Selected Sinhala Short Stories by Contemporary Writers

2019-2020 - Malinda Seneviratne for The Indelible (Senkottan) by Mahinda Prasad Masimbula

2017-2018 - Vini Vitharana for Kav Silumina by Parākramabāhu II, King of Ceylon

2015-2016 - Aditha Dissanayake for Golden Casket (Ran Karanduwa) by Batuwangala Rahula Thero

2013-2014 - Vijitha Fernando for Time Rebounds (Kala Sarpa) by Keerthi Welisarage

2010-2012 - Malinda Seneviratne for The Hunter In the Wilderness of Sansara (Sansaaraaranyaye Dadayakkaraya) by Simon Nayagaththegama

2007-2008 - Edmund Jayasuriya for Sedona by Eva Ranaweera

2006 - Kumari Goonesekere for The Hour When the Moon Weeps by Liyanage Amarakeerthi

2005 - Vijitha Fernando for The Chameleon (Nandithaya) by Sunethra Rajakarunanayake

The Late Prof. Vini Vitharana for a translation of the Kav Silumina.