Literary forum for new writing to stream online

The second edition of the collaborative literary forum, New Ink, is scheduled to take place early June. The event will be hosted virtually via Zoom on 4, 5 and 6 June, bringing together a host of Sri Lankan writers from varying genres. 

New Ink is a forum focused on newly-published writers in a calendar year and brings together writers in English to share their work and inspirations, and create a dialogue with other academics and critics in the field.  

This year, prominent writers Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Vishnu Vasu and Sarah Kabir will feature a discussion on ‘Narratives of the Conflict World,’ drawing up in their experience in working with communities affected by conflict, and using mediums of writing and film to communicate the narratives to the larger society. The sentiments will follow the New Ink Keynote presented by R. Cheran, who will explore the topic of writing and teaching about survival of mass atrocities.

Gratiaen 2020 shortlisted writer Ameena Hussein, together with Thakshala Tissera and Mahesh Hapugoda, both language and literature academics and critics, will lead the panel on their future vision of Sri Lankan English writing. The discussion is expected to bring to light where English writing in Sri Lanka currently is, and where it is set to move towards.

The reading and discussion panels list a host of published and debut writers of fiction and poetry including Yasmin Azad, Carmel Miranda (shortlisted for Gratiaen Prize 2020 for her debut novel Crossmatch), Kandiah Shriganeshan, Dilshan Boange, Amanda Wick, Dilshani Yasodya, Neshantha Harischandra, Sandaru Wijerathne and Madri Kalugala.

New Ink is an independent forum organised by a small team of literature and writing enthusiasts who come together on a completely voluntary basis. More information on the event can be found in https://www.facebook.com/New-Ink-110815763795161.