Sri Lankan Poetry

Sri Lankan Poets

Poetry has been an important part of Sri Lankan literature ever since the introduction of Buddhism. In fact it holds a very important part in the genre of Buddhist poetry. As in the Sri Lankan literature, the largest part of Sri Lankan poetry is also written in Sinhala language. However, a considerable part of it consists of the three other main languages, Pali, English, and Tamil.

Some of the prominent Sri Lankan Sinhala Poets:

• Arisen Ahubudu
• Buddhadasa Galappatty
• D.A. Kumarasingha
• Elapatha Mudali
• Eric Illayapparachchi
• Gajaman Nona
• Gunadasa Amarasekara
• Lal Hegoda
• Mahagama Sekara

Some of the prominent Sri Lankan English Poets:

• Anne Ranasinghe
• Lucy English

Some of the prominent Sri Lankan Tamil Poets:

• Eelattu Poothanthevanar
• M.A.Nuhman
• Meary James Thurairajah Tambimuttu
• Memen Kavi
• Pottuvil Asmin