The University of Colombo’s Department of English is gearing up to launch Reid Lit Chats 2025, a two-day literary festival happening on June 20 and 21. With a bold vision to make literature accessible and intellectually vibrant, the festival offers panel discussions, author Q&As, storytelling sessions, poetry readings, workshops, and even film screenings.
A standout feature is its focus on Sri Lankan English, a dynamic and evolving space of linguistic and literary expression. Unlike conventional literary events that often feel distant or exclusive, Reid Lit Chats is purposefully student-driven, inclusive, and rooted in the University’s historic campus. The inaugural session, held on June 20, will feature 2025 Gratiaen Prize winner Savin Edirisinghe, followed by a Q&A with poet Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe, moderated by Senior Professor Neluka Silva. Ahead of the festival, we sat down with Dr. Kaushalya Perera, Head of the Department of English, and Senior Professor Neluka Silva, to talk about the genesis of the event, what to expect, and why this literary celebration is one-of-a-kind.
In conversation with Dr. Kaushalya Perera, Head of Department of English, University of Colombo
Q How did the idea for Reid Lit Chats originate?
It actually started with a Keells supermarket bill! Senior Professor Neluka Silva came to me one day with this slip in her hand. On the back of it, she had sketched out the blueprint of a literary festival. It was informal and spontaneous, but full of potential. I was immediately drawn to the idea and reached out to Ruhanie Perera, one of our lecturers and a performance artist. The three of us came together and started building something that would be not only intellectually rich but also genuinely accessible. The idea quickly grew from being a department event to something much larger, and much more meaningful.
Q What kinds of sessions can attendees look forward to?
We’ve designed a diverse lineup. There are academic panels, creative conversations, and participatory sessions. One of the major highlights is a panel discussion on Sri Lankan English, its identity, inclusivity, and cultural significance. We also have storytelling sessions for children with Professor Neluka Silva and Nadishka Aloysius, and a special student-only Q&A with Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe, which sold out almost immediately. Translation is another major focus, with a conversation between Professor Sumathy Sivamohan and Dr. Geetha Karunanayake. There’s also a poetry panel featuring Vivimarie Vanderpoorten, and we’ll be screening two films by Anomaa Rajakaruna on Friday evening. Plus, we’re running a give-a-book-get-a-book exchange throughout the festival.
Q Are there sessions you’re personally excited about?
As Head of the Department and a linguist, I’m especially excited about the session on Sri Lankan English featuring Dinali Fernando, Michael Meyler, and Dr. Mahendran Thiruvarangan.
It’s an important conversation, Sri Lankan English is vibrant and evolving, and it deserves critical attention. Another event I find powerful is the “Memory Walk” through the Faculty of Arts and Law, led by Professor Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri. It will explore our campus’s educational and political past, especially events from 1987–89. We’re literally walking through history and reconnecting literature to space and memory.
Q What role are students playing in the event?
A huge one, and that’s what makes this festival so rewarding. Our students are part of the planning, logistics, curation, and even performance. It’s not just about extracurricular drama clubs; this is academic, creative, and collaborative. They’ve shown incredible enthusiasm and ownership. We’ve also reached out to schools, government, private, and international, to invite student participation across the country. The engagement has been overwhelming.
Q How do you think Reid Lit Chats will influence literature and reading in Sri Lanka?
Our aim is to reframe literature as something vital and inspiring, not just academic or exam based. We especially hope to impact young readers, those doing their O/Ls or A/Ls in English literature, who might not always have access to literary resources. And we want teachers to come and be reinspired as well. If this festival can spark curiosity or provide even one student with a new way of seeing literature, that’s success for us.
Q What would you say to someone thinking of attending?
Don’t hesitate, register early! It’s free for students. If you’re a parent, a teacher, a reader, or even someone who’s just curious come along. You don’t need prior knowledge. The entire festival is designed to be inclusive, intellectually generous, and joyful. We’re proud of the depth and openness of what we’ve created.
In conversation with Senior Professor Neluka Silva, Department of English, University of Colombo
Q Where did the idea for Reid Lit Chats begin for you?
For a long time, I’ve been part of literary festivals in Sri Lanka and abroad. But I’ve always felt frustrated when our own students couldn’t attend, even when events were free, because of transport costs or timing issues. That’s when I realized: we already have so much talent and expertise right here in our department. We needed to create something within the university that could be shared widely. I never imagined scribbling a plan on a bill would lead to all this! But Kaushi’s immediate support and her reaching out to Ruhanie really breathed life into the idea. It’s grown into something far beyond what I initially envisioned, something incredibly collaborative and community centered.
Q What makes this festival significant for students?
This festival is intentionally curated with students at the heart of it. It’s not a conference or a closed-door seminar. Every session is designed to be open, dynamic, and exciting ranging from creative writing to academic critique.
We’ve mixed panels with workshops and film screenings to ensure there’s room for thought, inspiration, and fun. Most importantly, it gives our students a platform; to engage, to create, and to lead. That’s deeply empowering.
Our students are part of the planning, logistics, curation, and even performance. It’s not just about extracurricular drama clubs; this is academic, creative, and collaborative
Q Can you highlight some of the speakers and guests?
We’ve pulled together a fantastic lineup. From our department, we have Kaushalya, Dushyanthi Mendis, and Dinithi Karunanayake, among others. I’ll be speaking on children’s literature, a topic I love, both as an academic and an author, I’ve written five children’s books. We’re also thrilled to welcome experts from beyond the university. Michael Meyler, Prof. Sumathy Sivamohan, and Dr. Mahendran Thiruvarangan are all participating. Dinali Fernando from University of Kelaniya and Nadishka Aloysius are contributing as well. Then we have Professor Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri offering his historical insight. And we’re proud to host both Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe and Savin Edirisinghe, two celebrated poets and Gratiaen Prize winners. What’s more moving is that none of them are charging fees, they’re offering their time in full support of our students and this vision.
Q What makes Reid Lit Chats different from other literary festivals?
The setting, for one, this is happening within a public university, transforming our academic space into a public cultural space. It’s free, inclusive, and deeply rooted in local contexts. Also, it’s not just panels, we have memory walks, book exchanges, creative writing labs, open mic performances, and film screenings. The format is designed to be lived and experienced, not just watched. It’s participatory. That makes it very different.
Q Who do you think will enjoy the festival the most?
Anyone who is open to thinking, questioning, and listening. Whether you’re a school student discovering literature, a university student seeking critical engagement, a teacher looking for resources, or a casual visitor curious about poetry or film, there’s something here for you.
Q What’s your message to those thinking of attending?
Come with an open mind. Come to discover. You’ll find a community here, a group of passionate people who love what they do and are eager to share it. I’ve been in this department for 30 years. Despite the challenges, it’s always been a space of resilience and generosity. This festival is a manifestation of that spirit. I truly hope it inspires everyone who walks through our gates.
Reid Lit Chats 2025 invites you to a celebration of literature, learning, and community, where stories come alive and voices, especially young ones, are heard. Whether you’re a first-time reader or a seasoned literary enthusiast, Colombo’s newest literary festival promises to offer something insightful, inclusive, and unforgettable.
