Colombo Literary Festival
Leadership
The publishing leaders and industry pioneers steering the Colombo Literary Festival and championing Sri Lanka's reading culture.
Janaka Inimankada
Janaka Inimankada is the Founder of Vidarshana Publishers and a pioneering figure in Sri Lanka's publishing industry, with nearly three decades of experience. As the publisher of numerous award-winning titles, including multiple State Literary Award recipients, he has played a significant role in modernizing the local publishing landscape — particularly in advancing translated literature. He also founded Progress Publishers (Pvt) Ltd as a sister company and serves as Managing Director at JT Homes & Constructions (Pvt) Ltd.
Chandu Haputhanthri
Chandu Haputhanthri is a senior business leader with over 25 years of experience in publishing, retail, and distribution, currently serving as Managing Director of Sarasavi Bookshop, Sarasavi Publishers, and Weerodara Stationeries, and Chairman of Blackpool Holdings. With strong academic credentials in technology and management, he has led the transformation and expansion of Sarasavi into one of Sri Lanka's largest and most recognised bookstore and publishing networks.
Dinushi Abeywickrama Weeraman
Dinushi Abeywickrama Weeraman is a Director of Samayawardhana Bookshop and Managing Director of Samayawardhana Publishers, representing a fourth-generation legacy in Sri Lanka's publishing and bookselling industry. With a strong business background and leadership experience, she has helped shape the company's strategic direction while promoting children's literature and reading culture. She has also held key roles in national industry bodies and contributed to major events such as the Colombo International Book Fair and the first Jaffna Book Fair.
Pradeep Samaranayake
Pradeep Samaranayake is a third-generation publisher and Director of Expographic Books (Pvt) Ltd, with over two decades of experience in bookselling and publishing. Transitioning from a science background into the family business, he has been instrumental in modernising operations through the introduction of e-commerce platforms and enterprise systems. His leadership roles include serving as President of the Ceylon Booksellers, Importers and Exporters Association and contributing to the organisation of key national events such as the Colombo International Book Fair, Kandy Book Fair, and Jaffna Book Fair.
Darshana Ralapanawe
Darshana Ralapanawe is the Director of Darshana Marketing Enterprises, with over 16 years of experience in publishing and printing. With a background in Information Systems and an MBA in Business Administration, he combines technical expertise with strong organisational leadership. He has been actively involved in the Sri Lankan publishing industry, serving in leadership roles within the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association, the Ceylon Booksellers, Importers and Exporters Association, and as Chairman of the Kandy Book Fair.
Amendra Haputhanthri
Amendra Haputhanthri is the Director of Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt) Ltd. and a passionate advocate for literature and reading. She firmly believes that reading is a vital pathway to personal growth, knowledge, and success. Dedicated to fostering a reading culture in Sri Lanka, she has devoted her career to inspiring readers and promoting literary excellence. Through her work, she strives to showcase Sri Lankan literature globally and strengthen the nation's cultural identity.
Anomaa Rajakaruna
Festival Curator
Anomaa Rajakaruna is a filmmaker, curator, photographer and writer. She has won several awards for her work both nationally and internationally. Rajakaruna is the first female editor of a cinema journal in Sri Lanka and edited the 'Chithrapata' and '14 - Prakashanayata Awakashayak' cinema journals. 'Kadadasi Oru' - Short Stories (1983), 'Gothrika Premaya' - Poetry (2000), 'Dvitva' - Photography (2000), 'July Life After 25 Years' - Photography (2008), and 'Hoona Legga Balke' - Poetry (2025) are among her published works. Rajakaruna holds an MA from the University of Kelaniya.