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Literary Publication Project of Veteran Writer/Old Rajan Chandraratne Bandara

Perhaps you may be already aware, that the writer Chandraratne Bandara was a contemporary of ours at Dharmaraja College in late seventies/early eighties. He was one of the pioneers of "Sineru Kala Sansadaya" and did a tremendous service to promote an awareness of literature, arts, drama, cinema, etc. at our school. He continues to be involved in helping such endeavors at Dharmaraja College. Recently he published a collection of short stories based on his studies, discussions, experiences and recollections while living in Toronto during the years 2005 and 2006, “LEN DORA PIPUNA PREMAYA”
Chandrarathna is one of the most discussed novelists during the nineties in Sri Lanka. His passion during his earlier work was to investigate the social, cultural and political dimensions of Sri Lanka, especially the changing dynamics of our society during the last 50 years.
He won the National Literary award for his novel “Meru” in the State Literary Festival in Sri Lanka in 1991. His most discussed work so far “Wanasapumala” (The Hostage City) came out in 1993. It dealt with the complicated issues faced by a politically motivated young man in the Northern Province of our country in 1980s. This book is going for the third publication soon.


Wanasapumala won the D.R.Wijewardane Award for the Best novel in 1993. This book has already been translated to English by Vijitha Fernando, under the patronage of “Canada Sri Lanka Education Foundation.” Vijitha Fernando is one of the most senior translators in Sri Lanka and won the Best Translator National Award for her works in 2004 and 2005 years.
A tele-drama was also made in Sri Lanka based on his novel “Wiman Dorakoda” in the latter part of 1990s and serialized in National Rupavahini service. Chandraratne as we call “Chandare” had held many senior positions in the media and socio cultural domain in Sri Lanka both in the governmental and non-governmental sectors since 1980. He is currently residing in Toronto in Canada and engaged in studies related to linguistics and cross cultural relations.
Also this book is currently translated to English by Vijitha Fernando, the same translator who translated his “Wanasapumala”.
This book was launched with the patronage of Lake House Publications at BMICH on the 18th September 2006. Dharmaraja media Circle is coordinating the publicity of this event with the help of Old Rajans and OBA.
Another old Rajan, Ruchindra Abeythunga, is currently developing a website for the literary work of Chandra and also for the future activities of Saddiviharika Foundation. We will let you know as soon as this website is completed. While the book starts circulating in Sri Lanka, we are thinking about promoting his new work among the expatriate Sri Lankan communities through the help of old Rajans, close friends and associates. It is priced as 10 Canadian/US/Australian Dollars (5 Sterling Pounds) for customers living abroad. Our intention is to utilize the proceeds from the sale of this to further advance similar literary projects.
We shall be thankful, if you could kindly distribute 5 copies (or whatever number you will be able to) among your Sri Lankan circles and contribute us the money after sales.
The books can be obtained by sending an email to the writer Chandraratne Bandara at:
wanasapumala@yahoo.ca
or
wanasapumala@gmail.com

Saddiviharika Foundation Office Contact Address:
Distribution Coordinator
Apt: 2007,
50 Cambridge Avenue,
Toronto, ON
Canada M4K2L3

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