Chandrasiri Palliyaguru

Chandrasiri Palliyaguru was a Sri Lankan academic, researcher, administrator, ethnographer, writer and critic. He is author of 54 books which include short stories, translations, historical novels, poetry anthologies, critical works, reviews, children's books and research works. He has written on linguistics, folklore, humanities, sociology, cultural studies, film studies, television and radio studies and theatre studies. He received the National Award for his works Samaja Muhunuwara in 1984 and Yatharthaya Saha Nirmana in 1994. In 2022, the Sri Lankan government awarded him the Sahithyarathna lifetime award for his overall contributions towards the Sinhala literature.

Biography Chandrasiri Palliyaguru was born on 5 April 1943 in Matara, Southern Province, Sri Lanka.

Palliyaguru joined Vidyalankara University in 1961, with a desire to study Hindi. He studied Hindi, Pali and Sinhala for his first year exams and wanted to do an honours degree in Hindi, but that did not happen as there was no Hindi honours degree course at that time.

Bhadanta Anand Kausalya, who was the Hindi Professor and Head of the Hindi Department at the University, was one of the people who influenced Palliyaguru. He gained knowledge not only about Hindi literature but also about Indian culture from him.

After graduating, he taught music at Sri Dharmaloka College, then worked as a music programme producer for the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and as a news anchor for the All Asia Hindi Service. Sri Lankan Minister of Transport, Highways and Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena paid last respects during his funeral held at a private funeral home in Colombo.

Career As an academic, Chandrasiri Palliyaguru focused mainly on modern Sinhala literature, Sri Lankan culture and folklore. He is also a film critic. Known for his extensive research in mass communication, Palliyaguru has authored several scholarly works on various aspects of the field.

As a novelist, Palliyaguru focused mainly on writing historical novels. After that he wrote the book Raja Virithin Surindu – Maha Vijayabahu Nirinda based on the character of Maha Vijayabahu, topa varadin kelesin kipem a novel about Sigiriya Kashyapa, Maha Kala based on the character of King Vattaha Gamini Abhaya, and the book Maha Biso Lilavati based on the character of Lilavati.

Awards and honors Chandrasiri Palliyaguru received the National Award for his work Samaja Muhunuwara (Meaning: Social Faces) in 1984 and Yatharthaya Saha Nirmana (Meaning: Reality and Creation) in 1994. In 2009, a 654-page tribute volume titled 'Samstuthi' was published in his honor. During the 65th State Literary Awards in 2022, the Sri Lankan government awarded him the Sahithyarathna lifetime award for his overall contributions towards the Sinhala literature.