“Bridging Connections,” an anthology of Sri Lankan short stories edited by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha and published by the National Book Trust, India, which was first launched in New Delhi last month, was re-launched recently at the Indian Cultural Centre Colombo.

The short story collection contains 25 engaging stories by Sri Lanka’s best known story-tellers, with the country’s simmering ethnic and political violence as the backdrop to many of the narratives.  Drawn from Sinhala, Tamil and English, the anthology is a compelling read bringing out the distinctive flavour and rich diversity of Sri Lankan prose.

His Excellency, Mr Alok Prasad, the High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka, Chief Guest at the launch, referred to his longstanding connection with Sri Lanka and particularly his family’s affiliation with Mr Sam Wijesinha, the former Secretary General of Parliament, Sri Lanka and appreciated the efforts made by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha in the new venture to bring out this volume of selected short stories from all three languages (the Sinhala and Tamil stories have been translated into English) for the better understanding of and among the Sri Lankan ethnic divide.

Jean Arasanayagam, in introducing the book touched on our imminent need for peace and the urgency for better English education for our younger generation as pointed out that Sri Lankan authors writing in English could play a major role in bringing communities together.