A Literary Celebration Rooted in Language, Community, and Creativity
Over two vibrant days, June 20th and 21st the Department of English at the University of Colombo came alive with energy, dialogue, and storytelling as it hosted the first-ever Reid Lit Chats, a literary festival grounded in the exploration of Sri Lankan English, literature, and cultural expression. With packed sessions, powerful performances, and an atmosphere of openness and collaboration, Reid Lit Chats 2025 proved to be a landmark event, not just for the university, but for literary and academic communities across the island.
A Vision Realized
The seeds of Reid Lit Chats were sown on the back of a bill. Senior Professor Neluka Silva, reflecting on the inaccessibility of many major literary festivals to students, envisioned something different: a festival within the university, built around the department’s deep academic expertise and aimed at creating a public, inclusive space for literary engagement. “I had the idea for years,” shared Professor Neluka Silva “but I never imagined how quickly it would take off. Kaushi grabbed the idea, called Ruhanie, and before I knew it, we were planning a full-fledged event.”
This collaboration, anchored by Dr. Kaushalya Perera and performance artist, lecturer Ruhanie Perera, quickly transformed into a dynamic platform that went beyond academic conferences. It became a space where language, memory, performance, and literature intersected meaningfully with students at the center of it all.
A Memorable Inauguration
The festival opened on Friday, June 20th, with a well-attended inauguration that featured Savin Edirisinghe, this year’s Gratiaen Prize winner for Kata Katha: Gossip, Rumours and Idle Talk, and a special Q&A with poet Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe, moderated by Professor Neluka Silva. The room was filled with students, academics, and literature lovers, all eager to be part of a festival that proudly celebrated Sri Lankan voices.
Neluka Silva
Panel Highlights and Thoughtful Conversations
The first set of sessions kicked off at 5:15 p.m. with two parallel events. In Room 105, “Aiyo, what is this Sri Lankan English, men?” saw spirited exchanges between Dinali Fernando, Mahendran Thiruvarangan, and Michael Meyler on the unique evolution of Sri Lankan English. The conversation, both academic and accessible, delved into its use, legitimacy, and future as a cultural and linguistic form.
At the same time in Room 106, Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe conducted a Creative Writing Workshop exclusively for students. Limited to just 20 participants, the session gave young writers a rare chance to work intimately with one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated literary figures. At 6:30 p.m., the mood shifted to visual storytelling. In “Frames of Resistance,” two documentaries; Cross of Justice and Justice in Flames by filmmaker Anoma Rajakaruna were screened.
The films offered a striking portrayal of artists Jehan Appuhamy and Sujith Rathnayake during the Aragalaya protests, capturing the intersection of art, activism, and resistance in powerful visual language.
Walking Through Memory and Language
Day Two began with a thoughtful and emotional Memory Walk through the Faculty of Arts and Law, led by historian Professor Nirmal Ranjit Dewasiri. Titled “Where We Once Walked,” the walk contextualized the campus space within both personal and political memory, including reflections on the 1987–89 insurgency. For many, it was a reminder that literature and history often occupy the same spaces physically and intellectually.
At 11:45 a.m., Professor Sumathy Sivamohan led a compelling discussion on the Poetics and Politics of Translation, exploring how translation is not merely linguistic but also deeply ideological. Her insights highlighted the value of multilingualism and the challenges of cross-cultural storytelling.
Heshinee Antonia (Undergraduate)
Children’s Literature, Storytelling, and Poetry in Practice
At 1:00 p.m., Professor Neluka Silva sat down with children’s author Nadishka Aloysius for a session titled “How Do We Tell Stories?”, followed by a Storytelling Workshop. Silva, a published author of five children’s books herself, emphasized the importance of accessible literature for younger audiences and the blending of academic and creative approaches to children’s writing.
Later in the afternoon, Professor Dushyanthi Mendis hosted an intimate conversation with poet and translator Vivimarie Vanderpoorten, diving into her creative process, her identity as a poet-translator, and what it means to write for an “ideal reader.”
Kaushalya Perera (Head, Department of English)
The festival opened on Friday, June 20th, with a well-attended inauguration that featured Savin Edirisinghe, this year’s Gratiaen Prize winner for Kata Katha: Gossip, Rumours and Idle Talk, and a special Q&A with poet Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe, moderated by Professor Neluka Silva
A Grand Finale: Voices of the People
The festival concluded with Open Mic Night at 5:00 p.m. in Room 105, a session open to all. Students, attendees, and even a few faculty members shared poetry, short fiction, and spoken word pieces. It was a fitting end to a festival grounded in openness, expression, and community.
Prof. L. Manawadu Dean, Faculty of Arts, UoC
A Student-Centered Festival Like No Other
What made Reid Lit Chats stand out was not just the lineup or structure but its soul. As both Prof. Neluka Silva and Dr. Kaushalya Perera emphasized in interviews, this was a student-driven event. From coordination to hosting, students were at the forefront of making it happen.
“It’s been emotional,” said Professor Silva. “I’ve been part of this department for 30 years, and we’ve never done something like this. To see the students take ownership to watch this idea grow from a scribbled note to a real event has been unforgettable.”
Sessions were intentionally curated to reflect the department’s strengths while remaining accessible to school and university students. “It’s not an academic conference,” Silva added, “it’s for the public about Sri Lankan English, literature, and the joy of engaging with words.”
Porf. Indika Mahesh Karunathilake (VC-uoc)
Looking Ahead
As the final applause echoed through Room 105, it became clear that Reid Lit Chats 2025 was more than an event it was a declaration. A declaration that literature belongs to everyone, that Sri Lankan English deserves space and celebration, and that a university can and should be a place where knowledge meets community.
With hopes of making this an annual tradition, the festival has opened new doors not just for the Department of English at UoC, but for anyone who believes in the power of language to connect, challenge, and inspire.
Savin Edirisinghe
Ramya Jirasinghe
