W. A. Silva

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Wikidata image Wellawatte Arachchige Abraham Silva, popularly known as W. A. Silva, (16 January 1890Template:Snd3 May 1957)Template:Efn was a best-selling author of Sinhalese literature. Born in Wellawatte, Colombo, his career began with his first novel, Siriyalatha, written at the age of 16 after receiving a formal Sinhalese education.

He studied Sanskrit and Sinhala under Pelane Sri Vajiragnana Thero and developed a habit of reading and assessing world literature in his spare time. While working as a clerk, Silva wrote his second novel Lakshmi, in 1922. He continued to write popular novels and short story collections. Several of his novels include Kalae Handa (the first Sinhala novel to be made a movie) and Hingana Kolla, which was also made into a movie.

Silva edited the Siri Sara (1919–1923) and Nuwana (1940–1946) magazines, as well as a weekly newspaper, Lanka Samaya (1933). After his death, High Street in Wellawatte was renamed W. A. Silva Mawatha in his honour.

His residence 'Silvermere' at No. 126, W A Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte has been turned into a museum containing artifacts of his time, hand written manuscripts, copies of novels, and other memorabilia.

Publications

• Siriyalatha (1907)
• Lakshmi (1922)
• Hingana Kolla (1923)
• Pasal Guruvari (1924)
• Deiyanne Rate (1926)
• Kele Handha (1933)
• Daivayogaya (1936)
• Sunethra (1936)
• Vijayaba Kollaya (1938)
• Radala Piliruwe
• Handa pane
• Julihatha
• Ridihavadiya
• Lensuva
• Sakviti Raja
• Amurtha Hasthaya
• Dalakumar
• Arabian Nights (translation)
• Maya Yogaya (play)
• Ramayanaya (translation)