How Sri Lankan-Kiwi writers are defying the odds and making their mark

Shehan Karunatilaka won the Booker Prize this week. Sri Lankan-born New Zealander Chamanthie Sinhalage-Fonseka is a public relations consultant based in Auckland. She feels that Kar unites Sri Lanka-Kiwis and their creative pursuits. Karuna is in the process of moving back to New Zealand. It's been 30 years since Sri Sri Ondaatje won Booker for The English Patient. He is now a migrant to Canada. His writing style is shaped by Ceylon's oral traditions. It would be remiss to assume that he's an outlier as a literary Sri-Lankan or literary New Kiwi.

Brannavan Gnanalingam was born in Colombo and brought up in Lower Hutt. He is a three-time Ockham finalist and recipient of the 2021 Ngaio Marsh Awards for his novel Sprigs.

Himali McInnes is a doctor and a writer. Her book The Unexpected Patient explores the bonds that are forged between practitioner and patient in unique situations.

Jehan Casinader is a New Zealander journalist and author. His book This is Not How It End is both a personal memoir of his own journey of depression and a contribution to New Zealand’s growing male mental health kaupapa.

Romesh Dissanayake is an up-and-comer writer with a diverse heritage. He is also a talented chef and runs Sri Lankan-themed pop-up dinners in the capital.

Andrew Fernando is a prolific cricket writer. He is based in Colombo and his book Upon a Sleepless Isle was the recipient of the 2019 Gratiaen Prize.

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