Nalanda Old Boys Association recently organised a project to publish 100 books authored by their students as a part of the series of events to commemorate the centenary celebrations of the Nalanda College.
This unique project was announced in March last year and all students of Nalanda from grade four upwards, were invited to submit their original literary works in any of the three languages – Sinhala, Tamil, and English in four age-group categories: Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9, Grades 10-11, and Grades 12-13 (Advanced Level).
Two seminars and coaching sessions by renowned literary personnel, Thanuja Ayagama and the eminent panel of judges, entrusted with the task of selecting the best entries, were conducted for the benefit of students who showed interest in this project .
It was most encouraging that hundreds of entries were received from the young writers of Nalanda by the closing date.
From the entries received, the best one hundred were selected by an expert panel comprising eminent literary scholars, all of whom are distinguished alumni of Nalanda College.
The panel included: Janaka Ratnayake, Prasanna Hennayake, Janaka Inimankada, Dr. Uditha Gayashan Gunasekara, Tharaka Wickramasekera, Sham Ganewatta, Manorama Weerasinghe, Chathura Geethanath Bandara, Asiri Fernando, Samantha Indeewara, and Chamara Amarasuriya.
Renowned writer and journalist Ama Vanniarachchi, daughter of a distinguished Nalanda alumni, also served as a member of the independent panel of judges.
A special awards ceremony was organised on 5 February at Nalanda Malalasekera Hall to felicitate the students whose works had been selected for publication.
Eminent Sinhala literary figure and visionary public intellectual Nalanda Keerthi Sri Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara graced the occasion as the chief guest. The Nalanda College Principal Iran Champika Silva, their teachers, and parents of the 100 students whose books were published were present on this momentous occasion.
The Principal and President of the OBA of Ananda College and representatives of Nalanda Balika Vidyalaya Minuwangoda and several distinguished past students of Nalanda were also present at this event, which would go down in the history of Sri Lankan schools as the first occasion where 100 books authored by students of a school celebrating its centenary was published.
Cover pages of the 100 books that were published were also uploaded to the website of Nalanda OBA, by Dr. Amarasekera who spoke in appreciation of the young writers and wished them success in the future.