"Playing Lions & Tigers"

written by Rohini Hensman
Short-listed for the Gratiaen Prize, 2003

Comments on the book:
Dr. Kamal de Abrew
Silan Kadirgamar

Kamini de Soysa will preside

Playing Lions and Tigers tells the interlocking stories of fourteen characters from different parts of Sri Lanka, different ethnic and religious communities, different social backgrounds and different generations. As they confront political authoritarianism and unchecked violations of human rights which lead to state atrocities against civilians on one side and transform freedom fighters into terrorists on the other, the imposition of one-dimensional identities (the ‘lions’ and ‘tigers’ of the title) stifles diversity and crushes freedom of expression. What links these characters together is their resistance to this process, their striving to create an alternative community based on equality and solidarity and their determination to keep alive the values of love and compassion.

Rohini Hensman is a writer and researcher active in the trade union, women’s liberation, human rights and anti-war movements. She has written extensively on these issues, and is the author of To Do Something Beautiful, a novel inspired by the lives of working women in Bombay.

ICES Auditorium, 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8
Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 5:30 p.m.