Sri Lankan author Sujatha Akahakoon has been accused of plagiarism after it was revealed that her award winning book ‘Eth Api Piyambamu’ has plagiarized sections from the books ‘Thanithalawe Pihiti Kuda Nagaraya’ and ‘Mihirathi Sonduru Samaya’ both translated by leading translator Ganga Suduwelikanda. ‘Eth Api Piyambamu’ won the 2020 Rajatha Pusthaka Award for best teen novel.
Suduwelikanda had posted on the issue on her social media page today along with screen shots of both books which feature sections that Alahakoon had allegedly plagiarized from. Alahakoon has since been widely criticized by authors and readers for her blatant plagiarism. Concerns have also been raised about the judge panel of the awards that chose Alahakoon’s book to present the coveted award.
