A place to discover the joys of reading
‘Expographic Books (Private) Limited’ is a name popular among academics and book lovers. ‘Samaranayake Publishers’ is also a name familiar in literary circles but most do not know that the bookstore is owned by the same Samaranayakes who are the well known publishers.
Managing Director and founder of the Expographic bookstore and Samaranayake Publishers Ranjith Samaranayake in the recent
Books galore: The Expographic bookstore at Pelawatte. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
bestseller ‘Bonsoir Diaries’ by Kumar de Silva comments that, “A publisher is a person who bears a much larger duty to society, one that is bound to the enrichment of not only the ‘reading habit’ among people but also the ‘joy of reading’.” Mr. Samaranayake is deeply committed to this aim.
It may be in his genes for Mr. Samaranayake’s father was the famous W.H. Samaranayake, the author of many English language books still used in classrooms such as “Practical English” published in 1940 and “English with a smile” which came out in three volumes. Around 30,000 to 40,000 of these books are still sold annually. A self-made man, Mr. W.H. Samaranayake was also the founder of St. Bernadette’s College, Polgahawela.
“Coming to this field was almost automatic. It was in the family. Handling the English language books written by our father gave us a feel for books,” says Mr. Samaranayake. He realized that there was still a demand for the books after his father’s death in 1969 and this made him look to open his own book store. His first store was in Pettah in a space belonging to one of his friends. In 1985 realising there was a demand for English books published in the UK and India he went into book imports.
In 1987 he ventured in to mass scale imports and also began catering to the university market with academic books. “After that everything became serious business. There was a credit system for importing books given to the members of the “Booksellers Association of Ceylon” so I became a member. Gaining membership back then was quite an achievement,” he says. He has also been a member of the organizing committee of the International Book Fair.
He came into publishing in 1990s with the English translation of ‘Agnichakra’ by Kathleen Jayawardene- ‘Circles of fire’ translated by Ranga Chandraratne. The biography of the renowned actress Iranganie Serasinghe, ‘Iranganie as told by Kumar de Silva’ sold like hot cakes and award-winning author Punyakanthi Wijenaike’s books were also added to the Samaranayake Publishers’ stable. They are currently translating Iranganie Serasinghe’s book and ‘Lester by Lester’ into Sinhala.
Their first store in Pettah is now under the charge of Mr. Samaranayake’s son, Praveen, while their Pelawatte store is managed by his other son Pradeep. They also have a bookshop at the University of Moratuwa and hope to open two showrooms in Peradeniya as well as at the Dalada Veediya in Kandy. All stores are open every day including holidays from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m.
 Pradeep Samaranayake |
 Ranjith Samaranayake |
The five storeyed premises in Pelawatte not only serves as a book store but is also is a haven for book lovers with book launches as well as workshops being held at the auditorium in the upper floor. The lobby on the second floor has pottery classes and a puppet show for children every month conducted by Sulochana Dissanayake.
Expographic came to Pelawatte in 2002 in rented premises. When Mr. Samaranayake bought the land in which the present bookshop stands, the town was not the urban area it is now. Gathering ideas for the building from the international bookstores that he visited abroad, he did it all on his own, sans engineers and architects. “We moved to the new location in 2012, almost ten years after we came to Pelawatte and since the opening there has been about 35 percent increase in the turnover,” he says with satisfaction.
The bookshop provides a relaxing environment for book lovers to browse at leisure. With shelves and shelves of books in every direction, there are also floor cushions, bean bags as well as sofas to sprawl on and read. A play area with toys and puzzles keeps the children entertained. Soothing music plays in the background.
“I believe that my bookstore should be a library, a relaxation point for readers. No one should impose on them to buy a book. I’m also hoping to open a coffee shop here soon so that readers can spend even the whole day reading,” Mr. Samaranayake says.
Expographic also offers reader the option of ordering books through them and also has a cash on delivery offer. Any book can be ordered over the phone. Book delivery within Colombo 1-15 and the suburbs will be done within the next working day free of charge. Outstation deliveries will be done within the next two working days for a small fee.
Pradeep Samaranayake adds that they have books in a variety of languages, especially French, German and Chinese in addition to Sinhala, Tamil and English and a large number of dictionaries in many more languages. Their speciality has always been academic books and books on subjects such as literature, engineering, architecture, cookery as well as children’s books, craft items, stationery and science and laboratory equipment are in stock.
They are also hoping to launch a science programme conducted by retired teacher Dr. Lakshman Nonis. In the pipeline is an English teacher training centre on the premises and a writing programme for children so there’s much for book lovers young and old to look forward to.
The Pelawatte Expographic bookstore is located at No.455, Pannipitiya Road, Pelawatte, Battaramulla, website www.expo-graphic.com.