Gamini Viyangoda rejects literature award

Oct 31, 2015

Renowned translator Gamini Viyangoda was given an award for the translation of the book “If this man” during the state literary award held last week. Reports reaching us conform Gamini Viyangoda has rejected the award and the prize money.

After receiving the award Gamini Viyangoda has called the literary panel secretary and told him that his book was not a novel and urged him to check whether his book falls under the category of biography works or any subject topics.

The secretary has told that there was no error and according to the selection of professors and the panel of judges the co award was presented to his book. Viyangoda has shown his disapproval and rejected the award for logging an autobiography of a person as a fiction.

The latter translated “If this man” was an autobiography of an Italian national Primmo Levy.

Gamini Viyangoda who never received a state award so far was presented the best translator award. Ananda Amarasiri received the next award.