81st anniversary of Youth Poets’ Association of Colombo held under patronage of President

The 81st anniversary and the Awards Ceremony of the Youth Poets’ Association of Colombo was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort on 22 June. 

The President presented awards for persons who dedicated themselves to the development of the field of poetry. During the ceremony a student from Ananda College in Colombo, Sithum Helitha presented a poetry book written by him titled ‘Mage Kavi Sithuvili’ to the President. The President of the Youth Poets’ Association of Colombo, Boralesgamuwe Pranith Perera presented a special memento to President Sirisena. 

In 1935, the Youth Poets’ Association of Colombo was established and the famous poets P.B. Alwis Perera, Wilson Hegoda, Arthur M. De Alwis and Kadawedhdhawe Peter Perera were among the pioneers of the Youth Poets’ Association of Colombo. 

In 1985 the Government, through a Parliament Act made the Poets’ Association into a charitable institution and over the last 81 years the Poets’ Association made a great contribution towards the development of the field of the Sinhala poems and poets. 

Western Provincial Minister Ranjith Somawansa, the President of the Youth Poets’ Association of Colombo Boralesgamuwe Pranith Perera, Deputy President, Asiri Wijesekara and many others participated in the event.