A leading upcountry Tamil literary figure, Theliwatte Joseph, passed away late yesterday (21), aged 88 years.
Born in Hali Ela in Badulla on February 16, 1934, he started writing in the 1950s.
Joseph was the recipient of a number of literary awards including Lakkiya Chemmal Award-Hindu Cultural Ministry, State Kalaa Bhooshanam Award, National Saahitya Award for National Integration, Kamban Kalaga Award for contribution to Tamil Literature, Yaalpaana Literary Circle Award for the year’s Best Book, Maddakalappu Ilakiya Mantram’s Thamil Iyal Award, Godage Lifetime Achievement Award and Vishnupuram Lifetime Achievement Award.
