Showing posts with label
aka Captain John Priyantha de Silva.
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Showing posts with label
aka Captain John Priyantha de Silva.
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John Priyantha de Silva – the only Sri Lankan seagoing captain to write a book in English
Captain John Priyantha de Silva, a veteran master mariner, is planning to launch his second book,
"The Sound of Many Waters" in 2014
"I am now adding the final touches to this novel, which deals more extensively on my life and times as a sailor in a career spanning 34 years", he said.
"I dedicate about four hours each day to my writing", he said in a telephone interview, while his cargo vessel was sailing out of the Trincomalee port for Padang, Indonesia last week.
"The calm serenity that surrounds a person in the middle of the ocean is a peace of mind that cannot be bought even for a million dollars," the seasoned sailor reasoned.
Capt. Priyantha de Silva’s first book ‘Through Deep Waters’, which captured vividly the thrills, joys and the agony of meeting, interacting and parting with many a soul from different walks of life, from different continents, during his extraordinary journeys around the globe, was launched in April this year.
"At that time I was the only Sri Lankan on the ship. I did not have the company of fellowmen and felt alone.
It was during this time that I sat down and wrote - hour after hour, taking a break only for tea in the evenings", he recalled.
During his three decades plus sea faring career, de Silva has served as a captain for 18 years. "My novels give expression to the long eventful years sailing over the seven seas".
Author and mariner, Priyantha de Silva has emerged as the only Sri Lankan seagoing captain to write a book in English summing up his life's experience.
"Be it at land or at sea, my heart will always remain at home, with my mother and my loved ones", he said. "My happiness is in the home".
"In my second book, I will also be recounting some of the nightmares I have faced, particularly in choppy seas, during my long seafaring career which has taken me to 68 countries across the Pacific, Australia, Papua
New Guinea and the Pacific Islands", de Silva said.
"It will be more descriptive and educative about matters of the world, both historically and geographically", he explained.
Priyantha is an old boy of St. Joseph's College, Colombo.
Reposted from the The Island-News
Through
Deep Waters A perspective of a mariner
Capt. John Priyantha de Silva, a veteran mariner will launch his novel
Through Deep Waters unfolds the eventful years spent by a Sri Lankan, sailing over the seven seas of the world. He captures vividly the thrills, joys and the agonies of meeting, interacting and parting with many, from different walks of life, from different continents, during his extraordinary journeys round the globe.
Through Deep Waters, this master mariner reminisces his journeys from the beginning, about his experience at sea as well as on land. The pages of Through Deep Waters carry a message to readers of all ages.
Media consultant Edwin Ariyadasa will deliver the keynote address.EdmundJayasuriya and E. M. G. Edirisinghe will evaluate the new book. Veteran media personality Daya Abeysekara will conduct the proceedings.
seas of the world. He captures vividly the thrills, joys and the agonies of meeting, interacting and parting with many, from different walks of life, from different continents, during his extraordinary journeys round the globe.
Reposted from Nation
Capt. John Priyantha de Silva, a veteran master mariner's novel 'Through Deep Waters' will be launched at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on April 7 at 5 p.m.
Through Deep Waters' unfolds the eventful years spent by a Sri Lankan sailing over the seven seas of the world. He captures vividly the thrills, joys and the agony of meeting, interacting and parting with many a soul from different walks of life, from different continents, during his extraordinary journeys round the globe.
'Through Deep Waters' this master mariner reminiscences his journey from the very beginning. It is not only about the life and experiences at sea but also on dry land. The pages carry a message to readers of all ages.
Media consultant Edwin Ariyadasa will deliver the keynote address whilst Edmund Jayasuriya and E.M.G. Edirisinghe will evaluate the book. Veteran media personality Daya Abeysekara will conduct the proceedings.
Reposted from Daily News Online
Through Deep Waters by Captain John Priyantha de Silva was launched at the Sri Lanka Foundation on amidst a pleasant downpour.
Family, friends and well wishers were present to welcome author Captain John Priyantha de Silva to his destination, after years of tumultuous literary sailing.
The book was reviewed and discussed by Kalakeerthi Rohana Pradeepa Edwin Ariyadasa, E.M.G. Edirisinghe and Edmund Jayasuriya.
Kalakeerthi Rohana Pradeepa Edwin Ariyadasa observed the springing of new literary talent from the armed forces and went on to commend the complexity with which Captain Priyantha de Silva has been able to make a picture perfect record of his memories from childhood.
'Romantic spirit'
"His autobiography is not only a rosy picture," observed Ariyadasa and went on to speak at length about the 'romantic spirit' of the author.
"Romance has been an outstanding feature in his life," said Ariyadasa and went on to speak of the writers 'international affairs' that sent ripples of laughter from the calm and engrossed audience.
Literary maestro Edwin Ariyadasa went on to say that the book Through Deep Waters is not only a celebration of family life but a celebration of the religious spirit.
"For 21 years he has had a unique childhood," observed Ariyadasa yet again venturing out on to another unusual feature of the book and went on to applaud the writer's obedience to his parents.
Another literary celebrity, E.M.G. Edirisinghe went on to say that he had been enriched by the book. "It is written in simple language and is so spirited," said Edirisinghe and went on to observe that Captain John Priyantha de Silva thanked God every time he achieved something.
"Sea life can be boring and frustrating," said Edirisinghe and went on to appreciate the writer's style that takes the reader to a "different world."
Captures meaningful moments
Another great literary personality in Sri Lanka Edmund Jayasuriya went on to draw an argument as to whether the book is an autobiography, novel, journal, letter, log or memoir.
"It is not an autobiography, but a memoir," observed Jayasuriya, boldly and rightly, and went on to say that it is a memoir that captures and highlights meaningful moments in one's past.
Clearly moved by Through Deep Waters, Jayasuriya said that the book is a blend of humor, tragedy and pathos.
Through Deep Waters is a different experience on the shelves of Sri Lankan bookstores. The book is unusual - for it takes the reader the world over. It is about people, about life and about experiences.
Using real characters, the writer, with his literary skill has presented to us a book that will tell us that life is not all smooth sailing - that here, there and everywhere, human feelings, human relationships and human bonding reign supreme.
- Ranee Mohamed
Reposted from The Sunday Leader on Line
