The Gratiaen Trust, in partnership with the John Keells Foundation and supported by the British Council, has announced the longlist for the 33rd annual Gratiaen Prize—widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s most prestigious literary award for creative writing in English.
The announcement marks the first milestone in this year’s prize cycle, continuing a long-standing tradition of recognising and nurturing outstanding literary talent across the country.
The 2026 call for submissions received a record number of entries, reflecting a diverse range of voices, styles, and perspectives in contemporary Sri Lankan writing. From this pool, the panel of judges has selected 12 works for the longlist.
Longlisted Authors and Works
@#$%!Daham – Aneesha Ansar
Chameleon Silva – Keith Jayasekera
Dear Father: The Refugee – Alan de Costa
Divergent Among my Neurons – Gaveen Prabhasara
Gallivanting – Ciara Mandulee Mendis
God, Bangles and a Constitution – Anuththara Ekeli
In the Curve of the Smile – Uvini Atukorala
Reading Palms: A Collection of Poems – Oshanthaka Cabraal
The Department of Chosen Ones – Thisuri Wanniarachchi
The Son and the Lover – Visakesa Chandrasekaram
Time is a Paper Crane and Other Stories – Eshana Ranasinghe
To Hear You Breathe – Sajla Anees
The Gratiaen Prize recognises original, unpublished works of fiction, poetry, drama, and creative prose by Sri Lankan citizens or residents, celebrating literary excellence, creativity, and depth. Submissions must not have been previously published in print or online.
This year’s longlist highlights the growing diversity within Sri Lankan English writing, with authors exploring a wide array of themes, identities, and lived experiences.
Judging Panel
The 2026 judging panel brings together a blend of creative, academic, and editorial expertise. It is chaired by V. V. Ganeshananthan, whose novel Brotherless Night received multiple international accolades. She is joined by Dinidu Karunanayake, Assistant Professor of English at Elon University, and Azara Jaleel, Editor-in-Chief of ARTRA Magazine.
Inextricable Group Appoints Jayantha Peiris as SVP – Digital and Enterprise Transformation
Inextricable Group, a British boutique IT consultancy specialising in ERP and data solutions, has announced a key leadership appointment aimed at strengthening its digital transformation capabilities across the global apparel and manufacturing sectors.
Jayantha Peiris, a veteran industry leader with over three decades of experience at MAS Holdings, has joined the firm as Senior Vice President – Digital and Enterprise Transformation.
Strategic Leadership Boost
The appointment brings together complementary expertise, pairing Peiris with Joachim Hensch, former Managing Director of Hugo Boss Textile Industries. The combination reflects a unique blend of leadership experience spanning global apparel manufacturing and luxury fashion brand environments.
This strategic alignment positions Inextricable Group to deliver enhanced digital and operational transformation solutions to clients navigating increasingly complex industry demands.
Extensive Industry Experience
Peiris is widely recognised for his pivotal role in the transformation of MAS Holdings into a globally competitive manufacturing powerhouse. Over a 30-year career, he held senior leadership roles across finance, operations, planning, manufacturing, marketing, and enterprise technology.
As Chief Information Officer, he spearheaded the development of MAS Holdings’ digital architecture, driving large-scale ERP modernisation initiatives and implementing robotic process automation to improve efficiency and support business growth.
His deep understanding of the end-to-end apparel value chain—from supply chain coordination and raw material sourcing to manufacturing and global distribution—positions him to address evolving challenges within the industry. His approach aligns closely with Inextricable Group’s focus on strengthening systems, data foundations, and operational processes to ensure technology delivers measurable business outcomes.
CEO Commentary
Commenting on the appointment, Sanjay Chauhan said Peiris’ arrival marks a transformative moment for both the company and its clients.
He noted that Peiris’ proven ability to translate complex digital strategies into tangible business performance reflects the firm’s core philosophy—that technology should enable and support business strategy rather than lead it. The appointment, he added, reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering real return on investment and sustainable competitive advantage.
The Gratiaen Trust Announces Longlist for 33rd Annual Gratiaen Prize
