A Festival Pass gives you access to all events in the Hall de Galle and the Maritime Museum throughout the Festival. Check How To Buy Tickets page for more information.

A Day Pass gives you access to all events in the Hall de Galle and the Maritime Museum on Sunday 31 January. Check How To Buy Tickets page for more information.

Iranganie Serasinghe, heroine of Sri Lanka’s stage and screen, speaks about her life and work, and how things have changed. FREE EVENT.

Shehan Karunatilaka won the Gratiaen Prize last year for his novel in manuscript about ‘the greatest Sri Lankan cricketer never to achieve stardom’. The legend of Pradeep Mathew is told by W.G. Karunasena, an ageing, alcoholic sports journalist. Today Shehan, Sri Lanka’s great novelistic hope, talks to Amit Varma, among other things a cricket journalist.

David Robson interviews the architect on his work.

Thavayoganathan Sajitharan reads from his own poetry and the work of other Tamil poets he thinks we should celebrate. FREE EVENT.

Claire Tomalin wrote about one of London's most famous chroniclers, Diran Adebayo has told urban fables, Rana Dasgupta, transported readers around the world in 13 stories. Today they discuss the split lives of cities.

Louise Doughty comes from a long line of Romany gypsies whom she has written about and reinvented through her books. Come and hear her speak about a unique heritage and a hidden history. FREE EVENT

Sarnath Banerjee, India’s sensational young graphic novelist leads you down a corridor to creating your own graphic novel.

Enjoy an intimate lunch in a heritage home with Michelle de Kretser!

Enjoy an intimate lunch in a heritage home with Louise Doughty!

Join Diran Adebayo and Shehan Karunatilaka for lunch in the open air at Jetwing’s Kurulubedde.

Renowned historian Antony Beevor chronicles the rise of the conspiracy theory.

After writing the stories of umbrella thieves and runaway beards, Sybil Wettasinghe is writing the story of her own life. Born just outside Galle, she reads from her memoir about what life was like in the area when she was a child.

Amit Varma is an award-winning journalist, blogger and now a novelist. Hear him read from MY FRIEND SANCHO and speak about his work.

Killing characters and tying up loose ends: Mohammed Hanif, Louise Doughty and Sarnath Banerjee explain how they do it.

Gillian Slovo co-compiled a play based on testimonial accounts of Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre. It went on to play in theatres all over the world. She speaks now about this experience.

Enjoy an old fashioned tea party laid on by Peter Kuruvita. On the lawn of the Dutch House, listen to Wendy Cope and Jackie Kay read their poetry.

Michael Frayn has written as a journalist, novelist and playwright. Today he tells us how fiction can sometimes alter reality.

Shyam Selvadurai gives us a first preview of two new books, both based on the Buddhist Jataka tales.

Sri Lanka’s premier dance company give a special performance. FREE EVENT.

While nursing your favourite detectives’ favourite drinks, ask all your questions about becoming a crime writer from Ian Rankin, who already dunnit. Ticket includes your first drink!

Enjoy Diran Adebayo's readings to music and everything our Festival writers haven’t yet had a chance to say. Come early before the place fills up!