Colombo International Book Fair 2025

The Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF) 2025 is scheduled to take place from September 27th to October 6th at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), located at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. This highly anticipated annual event has grown into the most popular and prestigious book exhibition in Sri Lanka since its modest inception in 1999 by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association.

Celebrating Its 25th Anniversary

The 2025 edition marks the 25th anniversary of the Colombo International Book Fair, a significant milestone that highlights the event’s remarkable journey and contributions to the literary and cultural landscape of Sri Lanka and beyond. The book fair has evolved to become an important cultural platform that brings together readers, authors, illustrators, editors, and translators from various backgrounds, reflecting the dynamic literary scene.

Over 500 Exhibitors and Thousands of New Titles

The event will feature more than 500 exhibitors, including prominent local and international participants. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore thousands of new book titles spanning different genres, reading levels, and languages. This wide selection caters to the diverse interests and tastes of children, young adults, and adult readers alike.

Cultural and Literary Activities

Beyond book sales, the CIBF 2025 offers an enriching experience through multiple activities designed to engage and inspire attendees. Highlights include:

Book launches that introduce new publications by established and emerging authors.
Discussion sessions and interactive talks with writers, providing insights into their creative processes and literary works.
Musical performances and stage dramas that showcase local and regional talent, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the fair.
‘Katapath Pawura,’ a unique interactive space where visitors can write and display their creative poems and verses.
Engaging activities for children, including guided painting lessons, clay modeling, drama sessions, and puppet shows, making the fair a family-friendly destination.

Award Ceremonies

In alignment with its cultural mission, CIBF 2025 will host prestigious awards to recognize excellence in literature. These include:

The Swarnapusthaka Award for Sinhala Novels, honoring authors contributing significantly to Sinhala literature.
The Rajathapusthaka Awards covering categories such as Short Stories, Poetry, and Young Adult Literature, celebrating literary creativity across genres.

Promoting Literary Exchange and Innovation

The Colombo International Book Fair is a hub for literary exchange, intellectual discussions, and copyright transactions. The fair introduces innovative technologies related to publishing and reading, supporting the modernization of Sri Lanka’s book industry. Book launch sessions and opportunities to meet authors allow visitors to deeply connect with the literary community. Reading programs and storytelling sessions, especially designed for children, cultivate a love for reading among the younger generation