Lankan among five writers honoured at SAARC Festival
– By Walter Jayawardhana –
Sri Lankan novelist Daya Dissanayake was among five writers honoured with the SAARC Literature Awards in Agra, India on Sunday. The others included writer poet-diplomat Abhay. K from India, Pakistan’s Farheen Chaudhary, Abdul Khaliq Rashid of Afghanistan and Suman Pokhrel of Nepal.
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka sent delegates for the 13th edition of the festival. The award was given away by Dr Suresh K Goel, Director General of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, at the Grand Hotel in Agra. SAARC Literature Award is given annually to eminent writers from the South Asian region who have contributed to the promotion of literature through their writings and literary initiatives. Courtesy: Manoramaonline

Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Transport Minister announces key reforms for public transport April 27, 2025
- Sri Lankan Tri Forces humanitarian team returns after successful mission in Myanmar April 27, 2025
- Saman De Silva passes away April 27, 2025
- 2024 A/L exam results released online April 26, 2025
- Sri Lanka strongly condemns Kashmir terror attack April 26, 2025
Congratulations for putting Sri Lanka on a positive note compared to all the negative news these days.
Very good picture, reminds the wisdom of a Pandith,
Some say, you also look like a Wahhabi, as most Wahhabis have beards like you, except Wahabbis from China who does not have beards.
The point I am trying to make is that, Stereotyping people, based on beards, or wearing hijab, or wearing yellow or white robes, to be fundamentalists is incorrect.