Tab Article

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Literary Fiction, Sri Lankan Fiction, Social Realism, Political Fiction

Book Review:
''The Shattered Earth'' by P.G. Punchihewa is a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the heart of rural Sri Lanka, exposing the fragile lives of peasant farmers caught in the crossfire of top-down development policies. Originally written in Sinhala as ''Gana Bol Polowa,'' this English version, adapted by the author himself, tells the story of Kirisanda, a traditional chena cultivator in the Wellassa region, whose world crumbles under pressure from Colombo-based entrepreneurs and an indifferent bureaucracy. Drawing from his firsthand experience as a former Government Agent, Punchihewa paints a vivid and authentic picture of the social and economic disenfranchisement of the rural poor. This is not just a story of individual struggle but a microcosm of a larger national conflict between traditional livelihoods and modern, often exploitative, forces of progress. A must-read for those interested in post-colonial literature, social justice, and understanding the complex human landscape of Sri Lanka beyond its cities.