The Gratiaen Belief Publicizes the Longlist for the thirty third Annual Gratiaen Prize
sixteenth April 2026, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Gratiaen Belief, in partnership with John Keells Basis, and supported by the British Council, proudly publicizes the longlist for the thirty third annual Gratiaen Prize, Sri Lanka’s most prestigious literary accolade for inventive writing in English. This announcement marks the primary milestone on this yr’s prize cycle, persevering with a legacy of recognising and nurturing excellent literary expertise throughout the nation.
The 2026 invitation for purposes for the Prize obtained a document variety of entries, showcasing a broad mixture of voices, kinds, and views in modern Sri Lankan writing. From this group, the judges have chosen 12 works for the longlist.
The longlisted authors for the thirty third Gratiaen Prize are:
@#$%!Daham – Aneesha Ansar
Chameleon Silva – Keith Jayasekera
Pricey Father: The Refugee – Alan de Costa
Divergent Amongst my Neurons – Gaveen Prabhasara
Gallivanting – Ciara Mandulee Mendis
God, Bangles and a Structure- Anuththara Ekeli
Within the Curve of the Smile – Uvini Atukorala
Studying Palms: a group of poems – Oshanthaka Cabraal
The Division of Chosen Ones- Thisuri Wanniarachchi
The Son and the Lover- Visakesa Chandrasekaram
Time is a Paper Crane and Different Tales- Eshana Ranasinghe
To Hear You Breathe – Sajla Anees
The Gratiaen Prize, Sri Lanka’s main English literary award, celebrates unique and unpublished works that present literary high quality, creativity, and depth. Eligible submissions embody unique fiction, poetry, drama, or inventive prose by Sri Lankan residents or residents. Manuscripts should not have been revealed earlier than in print or on-line. This longlist highlights the rising range of Sri Lankan writing in English, with authors exploring many themes, identities, and experiences.
This yr’s judging panel combines inventive, educational, and editorial experience. It’s chaired by V. V. Ganeshananthan, an award-winning creator whose novel, Brotherless Night time, received the 2024 Girls’s Prize for Fiction, the 2024 Carol Shields Prize, and the 2023 Asian Prize. She is joined by Dinidu Karunanayake, Assistant Professor of English at Elon College, specialising in postcolonial and diasporic literature, and Azara Jaleel, Editor-in-Chief of ARTRA Journal, whose work with Sri Lanka’s fashionable and modern artwork scene provides a well-informed reader’s perspective.
The longlist announcement marks the beginning of the 2026 prize season, with the shortlist coming within the subsequent few weeks. The shortlist will likely be revealed on 4th Could 2026 on the British Council, and the ultimate winner introduced on sixth June 2026. The Gratiaen Belief continues its lengthy partnership with John Keells Basis, the CSR entity of the John Keells Group, whose dedication to empowering a wholesome and inclusive society is mirrored in its efforts to advertise social cohesion via the inventive industries. The British Council additionally continues to again the Belief’s work in selling worldwide literary change and dialogue.
Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Chairperson of The Gratiaen Belief, congratulated the longlisted authors, saying, “This yr’s longlist reveals how English inventive writing in Sri Lanka continues to develop. We’re impressed by the number of voices and the richness of the tales, with writers sharing narratives which might be each private and wide-ranging. The Gratiaen Prize is devoted to giving these voices a platform to be recognised and celebrated.”
V. V. Ganeshananthan, chair of the judging panel, stated, “It’s been an honour to debate this yr’s submissions. The longlisted works display bold scope, startling intimacy, international views, and powerful, various voices. We’re excited to showcase this highly effective literature for readers in Sri Lanka and around the globe.”
Because the Belief retains supporting literary excellence, the thirty third Gratiaen Prize confirms its function in giving Sri Lankan writers a platform to be recognised, supported, and celebrated each at residence and overseas. For extra particulars, please go to www.gratiaen.com.
