I am Channa Wickremeseekra. I was born in Sri Lanka in 1967. I have been living in Melbourne, Australia since 1990.
I am a historian, researcher and a writer of fiction.
My research interest is in the field of military history, particularly Sri Lankan and South Asian military history. I have published three books and several articles and chapters on the subject. More works are on their way.
I wrote my first novel Walls in 2001, with little intention of publishing it. The encouragement of the late Reggie Siriwardena and my father’s enthusiasm for seeing it in print led to its publication. Since then I have written four more novels and novellas. Almost all of them deal with the migrant experience. My first two novels were based on the Sri Lankan diaspora in Melbourne. Interestingly, since then, characters from other communities have also entered my work. Perhaps it is a sign that I am beginning to feel comfortable outside my ethnic community.
Writing has become a part of my life. When I am not writing I am usually thinking of writing. I would like more people to read what I write. But whether they do or not I will continue to write.
Because I can. I have stories to tell. And that is all I have.
CHANNA WICKREMESEKERA 