Gratiaen Prize

ぐらてぃーんしょう

Annual Sri Lankan literary prize for the best work of literary writing in English by a resident of Sri Lanka.

FictionPoetryDramaCreative proseLiterary memoir

Established: 1992
Organizer: Gratiaen Trust
Category: Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Open
Frequency: 1 per year
Application Deadline: around December
Announcement Period: around May–June
Status: Active

Description

The Gratiaen Prize was founded in 1992 by Michael Ondaatje and is administered by the Gratiaen Trust. It awards the best work of literary writing in English by a resident of Sri Lanka across genres including fiction, poetry, drama, creative prose and literary memoir. Printed books and manuscripts may be submitted by authors or publishers; submissions are accepted between 1 and 31 December. A panel of three judges appointed by the Trust short-lists three to five entries (shortlist event usually held in April, hosted by the British Council in Colombo) and the winner is announced at a gala some weeks later. Translated works were eligible until 2003, when the trust established the biennial H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize for translations into English from Sinhala or Tamil.

Prize

Main Prize: The Gratiaen Prize title and associated recognition; specific monetary amount not specified in the provided source.

Public recognition and media exposure
Invitation to the winners' gala (invite-only)
Inclusion on the Gratiaen Trust shortlist and archives

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Submission	N/A (submissions are collected by the Gratiaen Trust; entries may be submitted by authors or publishers)	Not specified	Submissions are accepted between 1 and 31 December; no public announcement at this stage.
Shortlist	Panel of three judges appointed by the Gratiaen Trust	3–5 entries are short-listed (pass rate varies with number of submissions)	Short-list event open to the public, usually held in April and hosted by the British Council in Colombo.
Final selection / Winner announcement	Same panel of three judges selects the winner from the shortlist	1 winner selected from the shortlist	Winner announced at a gala event some weeks after the shortlist; invitation-only.

Submission

Judges N/A (submissions are collected by the Gratiaen Trust; entries may be submitted by authors or publishers)

Pass Rate Not specified

Announcement Submissions are accepted between 1 and 31 December; no public announcement at this stage.

Shortlist

Judges Panel of three judges appointed by the Gratiaen Trust

Pass Rate 3–5 entries are short-listed (pass rate varies with number of submissions)

Announcement Short-list event open to the public, usually held in April and hosted by the British Council in Colombo.

Final selection / Winner announcement

Judges Same panel of three judges selects the winner from the shortlist

Pass Rate 1 winner selected from the shortlist

Announcement Winner announced at a gala event some weeks after the shortlist; invitation-only.

Criteria

Literary excellence and originality in English-language writing
Author must be a resident of Sri Lanka
Work may be fiction, poetry, drama, creative prose or literary memoir
Adherence to submission guidelines and deadlines
Translations were eligible until 2003; translations since then are considered under the H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize (biennial)

Application Tips

Dos

Submit within the submission period (December 1–31 every year).
Confirm that the work is in English and the applicant is a resident of Sri Lanka.
Submit printed books or completed manuscripts (submissions from publishers are also possible).
Thoroughly proofread and edit the manuscript, and include necessary information such as contact details.

Don''ts

After 2003, do not mistakenly submit translated works, as they are for the H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize rather than this award.
Do not submit incomplete manuscripts or poorly proofread documents.
Avoid submitting after the deadline.

From Judges

Emphasis is placed on clarity of English expression and literary excellence.
Clearly demonstrate originality and the literary contribution shown by the work.
Submit in a format suitable for the genre (fiction, poetry, drama, creative prose, literary memoir).
Strictly adhere to the judging criteria and submission guidelines.