Western Province Writers Gather as District Literary Councils Workshop Begins

Western Province Writers Gather as District Literary Councils Workshop Begins

The pilot phase of the District Literary Councils project commenced today, October 3, 2026, at the National Institute of Plantation Management in Athurugiriya. This pilot phase involves a group of writers from the Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara districts—representing the Western Province—who were selected through an open, island-wide application process. The program, organized as a three-day residential workshop, will feature contributions from several resource persons: Ms. Oshadhi Herath, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya and a Board Member of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation; Mr. Swaminathan Wimal, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Jaffna and a member of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka; Mr. Kamal Perera, Chairman of the State Literary Sub-Committee; and the accomplished writer Ms. Tharanga Ranasinghe. Member of Parliament Mr. Ruwan Mapalagama participated in the inaugural session held today. Following his remarks on approaches to literature, Mr. Vijith Rohan Fernando—a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya and Chairperson of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation—delivered a lecture in which he outlined the objectives and provided an introductory perspective. The program was moderated by Mr. H. S. Lakmal, Assistant Director in charge of Arts and Culture.