PEN-Sri Lanka

16/02/2026

The 3rd Edition of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Art Festival Opens in Colombo on 13th February 2026.

The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival opened its third edition from 13 to 15 February 2026 as the ‘Festival on Beira’ at Cinnamon Lakeside, bringing together 45+ speakers across 30+ sessions featuring both international and local literary voices. Renowned Bollywood names including Shabana Azmi, Kalki Koechlin and Rahul Bose will take the stage in Sri Lanka alongside award-winning international authors Alice Albinia, Bridgerton author Julia Quinn, Edith Hall, and Helen Macdonald. Celebrated local authors including Ashok Ferrey and Shyam Selvadurai complete the exceptional lineup.

READ MORE -
https://newsasia.lk/the-3rd-edition-of-the-hsbc-ceylon-literary-art-festival-opens-in-colombo-on-13th-february-2026/?

16/02/2026

Three days of compelling panel discussions and on Day 2 there was a packed hall for an unforgettable session with Julia Quinn, the author behind the iconic Bridgerton, in conversation with Ashok Ferrey. An engaging conversation on love,and power in the Regency era ,was truly one of the festival’s standout highlights.

A packed weekend of powerful conversations, creative workshops, lively art, and memorable performances across the festival spaces created a vibrant atmosphere for art and literature lovers who congregated as one community from 13th to 15th February at the Cinnamon Lakeside for the Ceylon Literary & Art Festival

16/02/2026

Three days of riveting talks and intriguing panel discussions at the Ceylon Literary & Art Festival
The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival opened its third edition from 13 to 15 February 2026 as the ‘Festival on Beira’ at Cinnamon Lakeside, bringing together 45+ speakers across 30+ sessions featuring both international and local literary voices.

Highlights from the Opening ceremony on 13th February 2026.

05/01/2026

PEN International Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee
At a time when so many voices risk being silenced, our Committee works to ensure that every language has the space to thrive.
Protecting linguistic rights is not only about preserving heritage — it is about safeguarding dignity, diversity, and the freedom to imagine in one’s own words.” Urtzi Urrutikoetxea, Chair of PEN International Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee


READ MORE- https://newsasia.lk/pen-international-translation-and-linguistic-rights-committee/

05/01/2026

Georgia: Ruling by the European Court of Human Rights on journalistic protections in the context of protest sets important precedent
PEN International, PEN Georgia and English PEN welcome the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) judgment in the case of Tsaava and Others v. Georgia handed down on 11 December 2025.
READ MORE- https://newsasia.lk/georgia-ruling-by-the-european-court.../

08/08/2025

Meet the next generation of writers and activists speaking out on the issues that matter most. From the shrinking of civic space to highlighting freedom of expression as the bedrock of democracy, members of PEN’s Young Writers Committee are raising their voices with urgency and hope. Click below

08/08/2025

Across the Americas, freedom of expression is under attack. Journalists, writers and artists face violence, legal harassment and state-led smear campaigns.

🟥 In Mexico and Haiti, reporters are being killed with impunity.

🟥 In Cuba and Nicaragua, authorities jail critics and strip them of their rights.

🟥In the US and Argentina, book bans and official censorship are on the rise.

PEN International supports those targeted for speaking out, but we need your help. Please help us take Persecution to Protection: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/summer-appeal-2025-pen-international

08/08/2025

09/06/2025

In That Day is Not Far Off, poet Su. Thavachelvan gives voice to the silenced histories and enduring strength of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country Tamil community.

The poem appears in Tea Stained Lines, a new anthology from PEN-Sri Lanka featuring the voices of Hill Country Tamil workers and storytellers, a community shaped by displacement yet rich in cultural and literary heritage.

Throughout June, we’ll be spotlighting the poets featured in this powerful collection, translated into English and Sinhala from over 500 submissions.

Read more about Tea Stained Lines: https://teastainedlines.carrd.co/

02/04/2025

PEN GOVERNANCE MEETING - ASIA-PACIFIC.

01/03/2025

"The need of a mountain of literary creators who can write in English is realized". M. Thilakarajah.

A conversation sharing experience of participating in the International Literary Festival in Galle.
Thanks : Tamil Murasu print media

19/02/2025

PEN Sri Lanka Successfully Presents ‘Tea Stained Lines’ at the Galle Literary Festival 2025

PEN Sri Lanka brought the poignant voices of Tamil poets from Sri Lanka’s tea estates to the 2025 Galle Literary Festival (GLF) at a session held on February 6th at the Galle Fort Art Gallery. Talented authors Sadeesh Krishnapillei, M. Thilakarajah, and Annal Glory shared their powerful work from the anthology “Tea Stained Lines” with an attentive audience, bringing the lives of the tea estate Tamils of South Indian origin to the forefront.
READ MORE - https://newsasia.lk/pen-sri-lanka-successfully-presents-tea-stained-lines-at-the-galle-literary-festival-2025/

Article by Nelum Buddhadasa