Monica Ruwanpathirana


Kala Keerthi Monica Ruwanpathirana was a Sri Lankan poet and writer. She is considered one of the most acclaimed poets in modern Sinhala poetry. She has written 23 books, including nineteen poetry and three of them won the State Literary Award. In 2005, she was honored by Government of Sri Lanka with the reputation of Kala Keerthi.
Born in a village in Matara, Monica had her education at St. Thomas' Girls' High School, Galle and Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya. In 1967, she graduated from the University of Colombo and joined the Plan Implementation Ministry where she worked for eleven years. Later she started working for an NGO as a director. She died at the age of 58.

Publications

Her books of verse include,
  • Apa Denna Saha Thawath Kihipa Denek
  • Thahanam Deshayakin
  • Angulimalage Sihina
  • Oba Yeheliya Eya Geheniya
  • Athuru Mithuru
  • Age Lokaya
  • Visi Vasaka Shesha Pathraya
  • Asan Paththini Devathavi
  • Hippocrates Saha Roginiya
Short stories
  • Kusumalathage Dawasak
Critical essays
  • ''Nava Kavi Vimasuma''