Rev. Fr. Benedict Savarituttu, SJ, fondly known as Fr Benny was honoured with the State Literary Award 2026 at the 67th State Literary Awards Ceremony, held on 8 September 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo.

The annual State Literary Awards recognise distinguished writers and literary figures who have made outstanding contributions to the literary field of Sri Lanka. This year’s awards honoured writers for significant literary works published in 2025, with awards presented across more than 50 categories.

The ceremony was jointly organised by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Arts Council of Sri Lanka, and the Advisory Board of Literature.

Fr. Benny, SJ, was recognised for his contribution to Up-Country Tamil literature through his literary work, including his critical study “Eetti.” He has also authored a book of poetry and “Paalmarakkaadu,” a descriptive literary work, and has continued to contribute significantly to the preservation and development of Up-Country Tamil literary expression.

Born in Pedro Estate, Bogawantalawa, Fr. Benny has served for many years in social, educational and pastoral ministries, including as Director of the Community Service Centre (CSC), Hatton. He is currently serving at Satyodaya, Kandy, while pursuing his doctoral research at the University of Peradeniya.

He evolved as a poet and dramatist during his childhood itself. While he was doing General Certificate of Education in 1984, he became state level first in public speaking and short story competition. While doing BA degree in Loyola college, Chennai, he received state level first prize in eloquation.

During his days, he published his first poetry book Porkala Poobalangal which was launched by Dr. Manmohan Singh, than financial minister of India. That book has approved for M.Phil research in Tamilnadu.

His poem, published in a literary magazine in Sri Lanka was quoted in the Sri Lankan Parliament in the year 2000.

He is a author of 8 books. His English novel Pain sans Pain, published in 2024, is the first novel on leprosy affected people in Sri Lanka. His another novel Paalmarakadu deals with the rubber estate people’ life of the sabragamuva province.

Last year he launched a translation work of Bishop Thyagaraja, formar Bishop of CSI , Jaffna, on his short biography Transformative Grace. The Tamil translation by received wider attention among the Christian clergies.

His recognition at the State Literary Awards is a significant achievement, not only in appreciation of his literary contribution but also as a source of pride for the Up-Country community and the Jesuit mission in Sri Lanka.

We warmly congratulate Rev. Fr. Benny, SJ, on this distinguished honour and pray that God may continue to bless him with wisdom, creativity and good health as he contributes further to literature, education, social service and pastoral ministry