The Giller Prize - Canada's biggest fiction award - was given to authors Michael Ondaatje and David Adams Richards on Thursday. It is the first time since the prize was founded seven years ago that it has been shared.

Each author was awarded $25,000 Cdn. at a ceremony in Toronto Thursday night.

This award is not about winners but about writers, said Sri Lanka-born Ondaatje, who won for 'Anil's Ghost.' Richards won for his novel 'Mercy Among the Children.'

I think this is a great celebration of Canadian literature, Richards said.

Judges Margaret Atwood, Alistair Macleod and Jan Urquhart chose the two authors from a list of six.

Ondaatje, also known for his book 'The English Patient', lives in Toronto. He was born in Sri Lanka and came to Canada in 1962. His book Anil's Ghost is about a forensic pathologist who returns to Sri Lanka to

Richards is a native New Brunswicker who now lives in Toronto. His book, set in an area of his home province called the Stumps is about a boy who makes a pact with God after he fears he's killed a boy he pushed off a roof.

Award donor Jack Rabinovitch established the prize in honour of his late wife and literary journalist Doris Giller.

The award of $25,000 usually goes to one donor, but Rabinovitch said he didn't mind doubling the prize money, adding prizes should be split.

Previous Giller winners are Bonnie Burnard (1999), Alice Munro (1998), Mordecai Richler (1997), Margaret Atwood (1996), Rohinton Mistry (1995) and M.G. Vassanji (1994).