Memoirs & Biographies

In her memoir, Another Time, Another Place, Anthea Senaratne with various anecdotes and stories of her childhood paints a picture of growing up in the newly independent Ceylon. The book details her very early life in Colombo, and outstation towns like Trincomalee and Kurunegala where her father was posted to as a Government Servant. The loss of her elder brother when she was very young, created a void in Anthea's life and she never quite came to terms with his untimely death. In this engaging memoir, Anthea tells the story of one Burgher family in the country that became Sri Lanka and through it, weaves together the story  of the Burgher community, their lives, food, celebrations and struggles.

L.T.P. Manjusri was born in 1902 in Aluthgama, a small fishing village near Galle in Southern Sri Lanka, and died a national hero in 1982, having had an extraordinary life. His story is a commentary on the cultural history of 20th Century Sri Lanka. His contribution to art and the history of art spans the previous century to the birth and development of modern art in the country. 

Manjusri's works are found in many galleries, including the Sapumal Foundation and the National Art Gallery in Colombo, Horniman Museum in London, Kunst Historiches Museum in Vienna, New York Public Library, Columbia University Library, Metropolitan Museum in New York and in numerous private collections.

After giving up robes in 1949, he worked as a journalist at Lake House Newspapers until his retirement in 1968. He wrote more than 200 articles pertaining to temple paintings, Asian art and culture. Recognized both in Sri Lanka and internationally, his many accolades include the Ramon Magsasay Award. He died a national hero.

The life and times of Jeronis Pieris, as seen through his letters

Read an excerpt!

Incidents in the life of a surgeon, working in Ceylon Sri Lanka, from 1965 to 2005

"One month after assuming duties as DMO, I took delivery of the car in Colombo. That evening, with me seated by his side, my driver drove it through the night to Koslande 200 miles away. We reached home at about 2 a.m. the next day and went to sleep, dog-tired. On the next morning, we found a patch of oil beneath one wheel of the newly acquired car. The fault was a leak of brake-fluid. A faulty brake-washer from the wheel-cylinder had caused it. It was easily replaced, though it seemed an inauspicious beginning to a relationship with my new vehicle."

As a natural sequel to the hugely successful Remembered Vignettes, Dr. Philip Veerasingam traces his trajectory as a country doctor posted in remote and rural parts of Sri Lanka, culminating as Consultant Surgeon in Colombo. Travel with him on this fascinating journey and re-live the difficult working conditions and the necessity to improvise solutions on the job.

Anne Abayasekara started her career in 1947 as the first female Sri Lankan staff journalist.

In the highly productive decades that followed she wrote on a variety of themes. This book covers the themes of the changing role of women, love of motherland, and family and home life. It also includes a section on how others viewed her. The book is bound to captivate readers - both those acquainted with her writing and those with no knowledge of it, stirring their hearts and minds.

'She always managed to marshal her material and then produce a coherent, beautiful pattern, an expression of simple but vibrant language.' - Siri Ranawake

 

 

The controversial Professor of Mathematics, scholar and lawyer from Vavuniya – C. Suntharalingam, was a member of independent Ceylon's first cabinet of Ministers alongside D.S Senanayake, S.W.R.D Bandaranaike, J.R Jayewardene, J.L Kotelawala, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, T.B Jayah, Dudley Senanayake etc. Resigning from his Ministerial post in an era of rising communal tension, he composed open letters to his grandchildren, venting his disenchantment, and decrying the direction that Ceylon's newly gained independence was taking under the stewardship of her elected officials. These letters, serialised in newspapers over fifty years ago, present an insight into a version of events that contributed to our turbulent, recent history.

Read an excerpt!

Jaffna Boy is the engaging true story of a young boy's life at a Sri Lankan boarding school in the 1970s, as recalled during one fateful train ride - and the advice from an unexpected source that would change the course of his life forever.

All income from the sale of this book will be donated to the RUHUNA SAILING ASSOCIATION in Weligama, Sri Lanka

My Chequered Life is an inspiring read for anyone interested in how to do business with honesty and without compromising one's integrity. A talented racing driver and competitive yachtsman, Jinasena combined ethics and enjoyment in his quest for a fulfilling life. It is a story worth reading that gives a commentary on society and reveals the dynamic and purpose of his personal journey. In this lively book which reveals his business secrets and his adventures, his successes and his obstacles, Nihal Jinasena gives us an enjoyable story, a worthwhile lesson and most importantly of all the message that you don't have to be corrupt in order to succeed!

Eldest son of a prominent family that has been a household name for four generations, Nihal Jinasena gives us an honest and candid look at his life from childhood to present day through the years spent in the UK for studies and work experience. In his usual fetching style, Jinasena who has a multi-faceted personality shares his love of sports, culture arts travel and business acumen.

Remarkable Stories from Pioneering Sri Lankan Women

Based on personal interviews, Pathways to the Peak, pays tribute to the vision and achievements of fourteen path-breaking Sri Lankan women. Authored by Shalini and Dinusha
Panditaratne, a mother-daughter team, the book highlights the journey of these pioneers to enter and excel in their respective fields, including in the arts, banking, commerce, education, engineering, journalism, law, medicine, sports and social activism. Their stories offer vivid insights into the many facets of their extraordinary success – their motivation and determination, trials and triumphs and lasting contributions to their country and professions. This is a book to inspire younger generations of women in Sri Lanka and beyond.

This rich collection of stories celebrates the courage and perseverance and achievement of fourteen extraordinary Sri Lankan women who made it to the top in our yet unequal world. They confirm the truth that paths are made by walking. The book is truly a labour of love and achievement – Bradman Weerakoon

Straddling a century of social change, this insightful book provides fascinating vignettes of fourteen amazing Sri Lankan women, and the creativity, courage and commitment that led each of these pioneers along their individual 'pathways to the peak' in an essentially male-dominated world – Dr Anila Dias Bandaranaike

Alupola to Jaffna 1940-1960

The waterfall at Alupola was the centre of my childhood existence. Its subdued roar and 'white water' gave one a sense of peace and tranquility. Bright sunny days would light up the entire valley. The cry of the Brahminy kite wheeling in ecstasy high up in the blue sky would enchant us.

Local tea estate workers of South Indian origin, claimed that on misty moonlit nights, the seven mythical 'Karthigai virgins', came to the pool below the second waterfall, to frolic and bathe. This story added a fairytale beauty to the Alupola Falls. Often, walking past it on moonlit nights with my father, I would peer through the mist and thunder of the waterfalls, looking for the 'Seven Karthigai Virgins'. I never got a glimpse of them. The locals claimed that anyone who did glimpse them would be struck mad by their beauty. Then he or she would roam the earth looking for another sight of them, abandoning all worldly pleasures.

Maybe it was my luck not to see them.

The third outstanding memoir by Dr Veerasingam which lovingly chronicles days gone by.