 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2020) |
W.A.Silva | |
|---|---|
 W.A.Silva | |
| Born | 16 January 1890 |
| Died | 3 May 1957 (aged 67) Wellawatte, Sri Lanka |
Wellawatte Arachchige Abraham Silva, popularly known as W. A. Silva, (16 January 1890 – 3 May 1957)[a] was a best-selling author of Sinhalese literature. Born in Wellawatte, Colombo,[2] he began his career when he wrote his first novel, Siriyalatha, at age 16 after receiving a formal Sinhalese education.
He studied Sanskrit and Sinhala under Pelane Sri Vajiragnana Thero and developed a habit of reading and assessing world literature in his spare time. While working as a clerk, Silva wrote his second novel Lakshmi, in 1922.[2] He continued to write popular novels and short story collections. Several of his novels include Kalae Handa (the first Sinhala novel to be made a movie) and Hingana Kolla, which was also made into a movie.
Silva edited the Siri Sara (1919–1923) and Nuwana (1940–1946) magazines, as well as a weekly newspaper, Lanka Samaya (1933).[3] After his death, High Street in Wellawatte was renamed W. A. Silva Mawatha in his honour.
His residence 'Silvermere' at No. 126, W A Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte has now been turned in to a museum containing artifacts of his time, hand written manuscripts, copies of novels, and other memorabilia.
- ^ Singer (1976), p. 116.
- ^ a b "W. A. Silva: Architect of the Sinhala novel, Daily News, Dahlan Salahudeen". Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ Remembering W. A. Silva, Padmadeva Jayakody, The Island Archived 2015-05-24 at the Wayback Machine
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