The Gratiaen Trust, in collaboration with the John Keells Foundation and with the support of the British Council, has officially released the longlist for the 33rd Gratiaen Prize, recognized as Sri Lanka’s foremost award for English creative writing. This announcement represents a significant milestone in the current prize cycle, upholding a tradition of identifying and fostering exceptional literary talent throughout the nation.
This year, the call for submissions for the Prize attracted an unprecedented number of entries, reflecting a rich tapestry of voices, styles, and viewpoints within contemporary Sri Lankan literature. From the numerous submissions, the judges have selected 12 works to feature on this year’s longlist.
The authors included in the longlist for the 33rd Gratiaen Prize are:
- @#$%!Daham – Aneesha Ansar
- Chameleon Silva – Keith Jayasekera
- Dear Father: The Refugee – Alan de Costa
- Divergent Among my Neurons – Gaveen Prabhasara
- Gallivanting – Ciara Mandulee Mendis
- God, Bangles and a Constitution – Anuththara Ekeli
- In the Curve of the Smile – Uvini Atukorala
- Reading Palms: A Collection of Poems – Oshanthaka Cabraal
- The Department of Chosen Ones – Thisuri Wanniarachchi
- The Son and the Lover – Visakesa Chandrasekaram
- Time is a Paper Crane and Other Stories – Eshana Ranasinghe
- To Hear You Breathe – Sajla Anees
The Gratiaen Prize, the leading literary award for English writing in Sri Lanka, honors original and unpublished works that exemplify literary merit, creativity, and depth. Eligible entries can include original fiction, poetry, drama, or creative prose by Sri Lankan citizens or residents, provided they have not been previously published in any form. This longlist exemplifies the increasing diversity within Sri Lankan English writing, as authors delve into a wide array of themes, identities, and experiences.
This year’s judging panel comprises a blend of creative, academic, and editorial talents, chaired by V. V. Ganeshananthan, a distinguished author whose novel, Brotherless Night, received the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction, the 2024 Carol Shields Prize, and the 2023 Asian Prize. She is joined by Dinidu Karunanayake, an Assistant Professor of English at Elon University with expertise in postcolonial and diasporic literature, and Azara Jaleel, Editor-in-Chief of ARTRA Magazine, who brings a well-rounded understanding of Sri Lanka’s modern and contemporary art scene to the panel.
The announcement of the longlist signals the commencement of the 2026 prize season, with the shortlist set to be unveiled in the coming weeks. The shortlist will be disclosed on May 4, 2026, at the British Council, while the final winner will be announced on June 6, 2026. The Gratiaen Trust maintains its enduring partnership with the John Keells Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the John Keells Group, which is dedicated to fostering a healthy and inclusive society through initiatives that support social cohesion in the creative sectors. The British Council continues to endorse the Trust’s efforts in promoting international literary exchange and dialogue.
Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Chairperson of The Gratiaen Trust, expressed his congratulations to the longlisted authors, stating, “This year’s longlist illustrates the ongoing evolution of English creative writing in Sri Lanka. We are inspired by the diverse voices and the richness of the narratives presented, with writers sharing stories that are both deeply personal and broadly resonant. The Gratiaen Prize is committed to providing these voices with a platform for recognition and celebration.”
V. Ganeshananthan, the chair of the judging panel, remarked, “It has been a privilege to engage with this year’s submissions. The longlisted works exhibit ambitious scope, profound intimacy, global perspectives, and a range of strong, diverse voices. We are eager to present this impactful literature to readers in Sri Lanka and beyond.”
As the Trust continues its support for literary excellence, the 33rd Gratiaen Prize reaffirms its mission to provide Sri Lankan writers with a platform for recognition, support, and celebration both locally and internationally. For further information, please visit www.gratiaen.com.
Financial Chronicle Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
