Nihal De Silva

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Nihal De Silva was a Sri Lankan novelist known for books about war and society. The exact year of his birth isn’t known, but he died on 28 May 2006 after a landmine incident in Wilpattu National Park.

Early life
- He studied at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, and attended the University of Ceylon (now the University of Peradeniya in Kandy).
- He ran his own bottled mineral water business.
- He lived in Colombo with his wife Shirlene and their two children, Shanik and Shamal.
- He loved birds, a theme that appears in some of his writing.

Work
- De Silva rose to fame at age 63 with The Road From Elephant Pass (2003). The story follows a Tamil LTTE member and a Sinhalese army officer who, despite their differences, work together to reach Colombo while protecting a dangerous secret. The novel sold over 3,000 copies at first and was reprinted twice by Vijitha Yapa Publications.
- He won the Gratiaen Prize in 2003 for The Road From Elephant Pass. The book was later made into a film.
- He also published The Far Spent Day and The Ginirella Conspiracy, both of which deal with political and social issues in Sri Lanka.

Death
- Nihal De Silva died on 28 May 2006 when a landmine exploded at Wilpattu National Park.

Notable works and awards
- Notable works: The Road From Elephant Pass, The Far Spent Day, The Ginirella Conspiracy
- Award: Gratiaen Prize (2003) for The Road From Elephant Pass