`Rickety Rocks’ the book authored by Thamarasi Mahawattage won the award for the Best Children’s English Literature at the State Literary Awards Ceremony held at the Elphinstone Theatre, Colombo last week.
Rickety Rocks is available in Sinhala under the name “Apooru Vu Abalan” and the translation was also done by her. Both Rickety Rocks and “Apooru Vu Abalan” are available at the Jam Fruit Tree Publications outlet, Kinder Klad online bookstore and also at the Sarasavi Stall (Hall D) at the Colombo International Book Fair. A signed copy of the Award Winning book can be obtained directly from the author by contacting via WhatsApp or by calling 0714452213.
Thamarasi Mahawattage had co-authored a book named, Visakhavak with two of her schoolmates on the life of the founder of her Alma Mater, Visakha Vidyalaya, Jeremias Dias. She has also contributed to several other writing projects based on popular TV cartoons as a panel writer. She had been the Editor and the convener of the Newsletter Subcommittee of Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association during 2015/2016.
Soon after passing out from school, Rickety Rocks, published by the Jam Fruit Tree Publications, is the first English book written by her. Her favourite international author is Eva Ibbotson who wrote magical Young Adults’ and children’s stories.
She graduated from the University of Kelaniya where she was offered English and translation methods as her subjects. She has also done her Masters in Linguistics at the same University where her research was also on reading comprehension of second language learners.
She is a Diploma holder in Counselling from the Institute of Psychological studies in Sri Lanka as well as a Sworn Translator registered under the Ministry of Justice.
Upon receiving her first degree, she got the opportunity to serve at the English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) of the University of Kelaniya where she worked till she joined the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) as a Lecturer in English attached to the Kandy Institute, and later headed the English Department in the Kandy ATI.
Then she joined the National Savings Bank (NSB), in the capacity of a translator (Sinhala/English) which is where she is serving to-date.
At NSB, she is also involved in staff training as a resource person and has contributed to the official internal news bulletin as a member of the editorial committee. She also chips in by compering in English at official functions of the Bank.
