Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe is a veteran children's book writer and an illustrator in Sri Lanka. Her books have been translated into several languages.
Wettasighe applied herself to writing as well as illustrating and proceeded to produce over 200 children's books over the course of her career. Most of her books have been translated in to languages such as Japanese, Chinese, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English, Korean, Dutch and Tamil.
Wettasinghe has won much international acclaim and her children’s stories secured awards both in Europe and Asia.
For "The Wesak Lantern : State Literary Award for best English Children's book in year 1996. For "The Child in Me" : The Gratiaen Prize for most Creative English book in year 1995. Prize for illustrations of "Deeptha Lama Maga", awarded by prestigious Biannale of Illustrations in Bratislava (BIB). State Literary Award for "Magul Gedara Bath Natho" book in year 1971. Best Children's Picture Book award for "The Umbrella Thief" by Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Japan, in year 1986. Most popular Children's Book award by Tokyo Children's Library, in year 1987. Award for Illustrations of the Sinhala Children's Bible "Deeptha Lama Maga" in year 1989, presented by Biannale of Illustrations Bratislava. Best Juvenile Children's Book Award for "Meti Gedara Lamay" by Arts Council of Sri Lanka in year 1992. Best English Children's Book award for "Wooley Ball" by Arts Council of Sri Lanka in year 1994. Gratiaen Prize for best English Children's Book for "The Child in Me" in year 1995. Hoity the Fox - By the Ministry of Culture and Social Welfare Japan, in year 1995. "Vishwa Prasadini" Award for Art and Children's Literature presented by the 1st Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. Sirimavo Bandaranayaka, in year 1996. Award of "Rohana Pradeepa" from the University of Ruhuna in year 2003. "Galu Pahansilu" - from the Young Men's Buddhist Association Galle, in year 2004. Kala Keerthi award presented by the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in year 2005. "Solis Mendis Award" in year 2007. For "Dura Gamanak" The State literary awards Nikkei Asia Prize for Culture for 2012