It is that time of the year when book lovers head to the BMICH to indulge in new books as the Colombo International Book Fair, celebrating its 20th consecutive year, returns with a range of fiction, academic texts, children’s books, stationary and much more. Organized by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association, this year’s exhibition [...]

Sunday Times 2

Time to get hooked on books once again

The Colombo International Book Fair is on until Sept. 30
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It is that time of the year when book lovers head to the BMICH to indulge in new books as the Colombo International Book Fair, celebrating its 20th consecutive year, returns with a range of fiction, academic texts, children’s books, stationary and much more.
Organized by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association, this year’s exhibition features over 400 book stalls which include 50 foreign publishing houses with a 20% discount on books being offered.

The different book stalls all set for the fair and right, crowds making their way on opening day. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara

Popular bookstores – Sarasavi Bookshop, Vijitha Yapa Bookshop, M.D. Gunasena, Makeen Bookshop, Expographic (Pvt) Ltd and Jeya Book Centre including the secondhand book stalls will be favourite destinations of the English readership.
Sadeepa, Sathara, Malpiyali, Wasana, Akura, Promate, Richard and Weerodara are expected to be the most visited book and stationery stalls among children and students.

‘Kadol Aththu’ Major General Kamal Gunaratne’s recently launched book based on the experiences of war veterans and disabled soldiers is anticipated to be a fast seller this year. The author’s previous book, ‘Road to Nandikadal’ had been a bestseller at the Book Fair.
The 10 day book festival also gives the opportunity to meet and listen to Sri Lanka’s best authors and attend book launches.

Entrance tickets are priced at Rs.20 and the proceeds will be used to fund scholarships to deserving students with financial difficulties to help with their expenses in university education.

The theme of this year’s Book Fair is “Readers Make Leaders and Leaders Make Readers”. President, Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association Vijitha Yapa, spoke to the Sunday Times about the national programme “Kalana Mithuru Poth Sumithuri” initiated in this month of reading by the Ministry of Education to encourage students to read. Students are asked to submit lists of books they read to the Education Department who will choose the winners from those who have read the largest number of books.

“The sight of children coming with their tills and breaking them open at the Book Fair to buy books is a moving sight. What better way is there to use the savings than to invest in their future education and deepen their knowledge,” noted Mr. Yapa. “The Government’s decision to remove taxes on imported books will also contribute to larger sales this year,” he added.

The Colombo International Book Fair 2018 that began on Friday will be on until September 30 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the BMICH.

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