Reid Lit Chats 2025

  Recently, I was lucky enough to attend Reid Lit Chats 2025 at the University of Colombo, a fantastic literary festival that celebrates writing, storytelling and Sri Lankan English.

This event was created by a group of teachers and students who love literature and want to inspire young writers (like me).
            Reid Lit Chats 2025 was a two-day festival organized by the English Department of the Faculty of Arts, led by Professor Neluka Silva. It offered workshops, talks, book exchanges and open mic sessions — all designed to spark creativity and share the joy of literature.
           
We had an absolutely unforgettable time! The writing workshops with Prof. Neluka and

Ms. Nadishka Aloysius were especially memorable. Prof. Neluka guided us through different writing styles and helped us discover new ways to express ourselves.
Another important part of the festival was the inspiring discussion with Dr. Vivimarie VanderPoorten. She spoke about language, identity and how literature connects with culture when translating poetry. Her insights made me think deeply about the role and beauty of
Sri Lankan English and how it shapes the stories we tell.
 

One of the most unforgettable moments was during the ‘Where We Once Walked’ Memory Walk through the University of Colombo with Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri. We were walking through the old corridors of the university — the same ones my mom had walked down many years ago as a student. I could tell the place meant a lot to my mom. She kept pointing out little things: a classroom door, a canteen, even a tree – and now, here we were, side by side, both part of the same event, in the same space — it felt like stepping into her past while still being part of something new and exciting.
 

The festival also had a really cozy and inviting ‘Give a Book / Take a Book’ (GaB/TaB) corner. This was such a thoughtfully created space where book lovers could exchange books, make bookmarks and relax surrounded by stories. I visited this corner many times to browse new titles and just enjoy the atmosphere.
I had a wonderful time expressing my poetry through the Open Mic session. It was amazing to listen to other young writers and realize how powerful poetry and stories can be in bringing people together. But it was even more amazing to share my own poems with others and I was shocked at the warm heartfelt applause and love! It encouraged me so much!

Reid Lit Chats 2025 wasn’t just about reading and writing; it was also a celebration of
Sri Lankan English Literature and young voices. The festival created a space where students could learn from experts, share their own work and feel proud of their culture and language.
It was a truly inspiring event that helped me understand the magic of writing and the power of stories. I’m grateful to everyone who made it happen.

Suhanya Gamaarachchi (13 years)
The Magic Key Academy, Colombo

Reid Lit Chats

Where We Once Walked

GaB TaB

Poetry discussion​

Open Mic session