Kala Keerthi Monica Ruwanpathirana (Sinhala: මොනිකා රුවන්පතිරණ) (1946 – 2004) was a Sri Lankan poet and writer. She is considered one of the most acclaimed poets in modern Sinhala poetry.[2] She has written 23 books, including nineteen poetry and three of them won the State Literary Award.[3] In 2005, she was honored by Government of Sri Lanka with the reputation of Kala Keerthi.[4]

Monica Ruwanpathirana
Born(1946-02-26)26 February 1946
Died10 July 2004(2004-07-10) (aged 58)[1]
Colombo, Sri Lanka
EducationSt. Thomas' Girls' High School, Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya, University of Colombo
Occupationpoetry
AwardsKala Keerthi (Posthumous) (2005)

Born in a village in Matara, Monica had her education at St. Thomas' Girls' High School, Galle and Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya. In 1967, she graduated from the University of Colombo and joined the Plan Implementation Ministry where she worked for eleven years. Later she started working for an NGO as a director.[5] She died at the age of 58.[6]

Publications edit

Her books of verse include,[2]

  • Apa Denna Saha Thawath Kihipa Denek (1971)
  • Thahanam Deshayakin (1972)
  • Angulimalage Sihina (1974)
  • Oba Yeheliya Eya Geheniya (1975)
  • Athuru Mithuru (1981)
  • Age Lokaya (1985)
  • Visi Vasaka Shesha Pathraya (1994)
  • Asan Paththini Devathavi (1999)
  • Hippocrates Saha Roginiya

References edit

  1. ^ "'Monika Ruwanpathirana, an artiste of great repute'". The Island (Sri Lanka). Upali Newspapers. 16 July 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b Gunawardana, C. A. (2003). Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka. New Delhi: Sterlin Publishers Privet Limited. p. 257. ISBN 81-207-2536-0.
  3. ^ "Monica - the poetess of our times". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. 19 July 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  4. ^ "National Honours#Kala Keerthi#2005". Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Goodbye, Monica!". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). Wijeya Newspapers. 18 July 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Monica Ruvanpathirana passes away". The Island (Sri Lanka). Upali Newspapers. 12 July 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2017.

External links edit