Let the poet sing his verse and the writer mint her thoughts; Let us gather to get a better meaning to life through literature. We have three languages to make our expressions. We have different races to mix. Different faiths to bless us
– Capt. Elmo Jayawardena, Founder AK Lit Fest
It’s simply literature, simply local. It’s Annasi and Kadalagotu time again.
Have you tried the local flavour?
That’s the theme we’re exploring for our fifth consecutive year of the AK Lit Fest.
We have also lined up a string of events that will stretch your mind, including a panel of blind authors, a public discussion on whether literature should be censored, the importance of women bloggers, and an exercise in spontaneous poetry.
Sun
20
Oct
09.00 – 10.30
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Book Launches
Book launch and discussion with kids affected by war
‘Ravana’s Daughter’ by Nadishka Aloysius
Hall 2 – Horizon Room
‘Craving Creativity’ Workshop for Adults 18+ – Dileepa Abesekara
Hall 3 – Maitland Room
Opinion – Should Literature be censored?
A public opinion debate
Featured by Shakthika Sathkumara
Moderated by Dhananath Fernando
10.35 – 10.45
Opening Ceremony
10.45 – 12.15
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Tri-lingual literature – a path to peace
Hosted by Kingsley Rathnayake, Prof. Neluka Silva, Prof.Arjuna Parakrama, Santhan Ayathurai
Moderated by Prof. Harshana Rambukwella
Hall 3 – Maitland Room
‘Blood, sweat and ink’ The mingling of Sports & Literature
Hosted by
Andrew Fidel Fernando
Yasas Ratnayake
David Scott
Rohan Wijesinghe
Ganeesha David
Moderated by Rohan Wijesinha
12.15 – 12.45
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Networking and browsing
Hall 2 – Horizon Room
Networking and browsing
13.00 – 14.00
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Performance by Bambaru
Hall 2 – Horizon Room
‘Anduru Lowakin Eliyata’ Writing with disabilities
Hosted by
Upul Senadheerage
Wasantha Pathmini
Susila Nandani
Gamini Karunarathne
Moderated by Virajini Tennakoon
Hall 3 – Maitland Room
Little minds strong values – Teaching ethics and values for kids between 8 years to 14 years
Hosted by Rukshan Perera
14.15 – 15.15
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Literature as a tool of ethnic and religious reconciliation
Hosted by
Victor Ivan
Rukshan Perera
Mahinda Namal
Dr. Sarath Wimalasuriya
Moderated by Jeevani Kaariyawasam
Hall 2 – Horizon Room
‘New faces in literature’
Hosted by
Ahilinie Nanthakumar
Asha Ralpanawa
Chathuski Jayasinghe
Kanchana Priyakantha
Sandya Salgado
Moderated by Tinaz Amit
Hall 3 – Maitland Room
Learning through literature – Workshop for kids
Hosted by Nadishka Aloysius
15.30 – 16.45
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Award-winning writing skills
Hosted by
Saumya Sandaruwan
Virajini Tennakoon
Shirani Rajapakse
S.A Udayan
Prof. Piyasseli Wijemanne
Moderated by Malinda Seneviratne
Hall 2 – Horizon Room
‘A woman’s gaze’
Hosted by
Prashani Rambukwella
Vetrichelvi (Velu) Chandrakala
Dr. Bodhini Samaratunga
Moderated by Smriti Daniel
Hall 3 – Maitland Room
‘Hitiwana Kavi’ Poetry Corner
Hosted by
Migara Bamunusinghe
Kapila Wickremeratne
Sudath Liyanage
Chamari Malkanthi
Moderated by Dilnika Soysa
17.00 – 17.30
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Performance by Bambaru
17.00 – 18.30
Hall 2 – Horizon Room
The Child who Never Grows Up
Hosted by
Sybil Wettasinghe in conversation with Nalaka Gunawardena
Hall 3 – Maitland Room
The Story behind the Story
Hosted by
Jian Yang in conversation with Keith Wijesuriya
17.30 – 18.30
Hall 1 – Empire Room
‘Lankawe Hina’ Humour a la Sri Lankan
Hosted by
Asanka Sahabandhu (TBC)
Janai Priyayi (Ranga Jayakodi & Chamal Ratnayake)
DJ Ara and Pasbara (Aravinda & Disna Munasinghe)
Samare and Samare (Shastha Samarasinghe
& Hasitha)
Moderated by Tharusha Kumarasinghe (TBC)
18.40 – 19.00
Hall 1 – Empire Room
Performance by Bambaru
Prize giving featuring the “Love letter competition”
Get your own copy of the Festival Programme so that you do not miss a thing.
Since launching in 2015, Annasi & Kadalagotu has been an authentically Sri Lankan literary festival that is highly anticipated by literary enthusiasts all over the country. It offers a collaborative platform for those who are passionate about literature to explore writing, reading, and the diverse expressions, cultures, and perspectives of the Sri Lankan people.
The festival hopes to spark interest in the contemporary local literature of well known and lesser known writers, as well as encourage the work of budding writers all over Sri Lanka.
This festival is the brainchild of Captain Elmo Jayawardena, and was initiated with the help of a small group of like minded individuals with one goal: to pay tribute to those local authors and publishers whose work sustains Sri Lanka’s literary identity.
Staying true to our Lankan heritage by showcasing and discussing literary works in English, Sinhalese, and Tamil.
Making sure that attending the festival is an exciting and affordable prospect for all.
Welcoming people of varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds to appreciate, contribute, and discuss their literary works and insights.
Serving as a platform to advance the voice of the common man through all forms of literary expression.
