Somaratna Balasooriya, 1943-

Select page numbers to listen or LCCN to display the bibliographic record. These recordings were made in the field and audio quality may vary.

Readings:

1. Karattaya.
   Colombo, S. Godage & Brothers, 2000
   • "Karattaya"
     Realmedia excerpts: pp. 35-50
     MP3 excerpt: pp. 35-50
     
     

2. Vap Mangula.
   Colombo, S. Godage & Brothers, 1997

   • "Vap Mangula"
     Realmedia excerpts: pp. 47-62
     MP3 excerpt: pp. 47-62

Writer and academic, Somaratna Balasooriya is recognized as a trendsetter in modern Sinhalese literature. In a style that is simple and laced with ironic humor and sympathy, he displays deep insight into the social realities of contemporary Sri Lanka with a genuine awareness "of man's capacity for weakness and cruelty" (R. S. Karunaratne), as he draws themes from contemporary politics and university life, writing in language that can even be abrasive.

Somaratna Balasooriya has published two novels, one collection of poetry and two collections of short stories as well as notable works of non-fiction.

His outstanding collection of short stories, Karattaya, examines contemporary social issues. The collection won him the Sri Lanka State Literary Award in 1992 and the Janatha Literary Award in 1993 and was later translated into English as The Cart. Balasooriya has also written film scripts and is a researcher-director of documentary films. He holds a Doctorate from the Sorbonne. He currently is a Professor of Sinhalese at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

The Library of Congress has eleven works by him.