A series of short documentary films exploring the nature of diaspora engagement with Sri Lanka has been released by the independent peacebuilding organisation International Alert.

For details visit: www.international-alert.org/diasporadiaries

Produced by award-winning film-maker Kannan Arunasalam, ‘Diaspora Diaries’ provide a unique glimpse into the complex relationship of each individual with their country of heritage. They are designed to broaden the debate about the role of diaspora communities in addressing post-war issues in Sri Lanka, and to explore their potential role as peacebuilders, as well as the challenges faced in fulfilling this role.
“We’d like these films to be the starting point of a conversation,” Johann Rebert, country manager for Sri Lanka at International Alert, said. “There is no single diaspora opinion or experience, and the series begins to unravel this”.

The series features individuals from different communities and ethnic backgrounds, and weaves together their unique approaches, identities and perspectives:

Dr Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam is a former Olympian (1952 and 1956)of Tamil heritage who now lives in the US and coaches young athletes in Sri Lanka. He says that sport can heal trauma and provide hope for the young in Sri Lanka. 

Nikini Jayatunga is a member of Voices for Reconciliation, a cross-ethnic group of second generation British Sri Lankans. Nikini uses culture as a way of bringing people together and talking about conflict.

Paul Sathianesan arrived in the UK as a refugee in the 1980s and is now a councillor in the London borough of Newham, which has a large Sri Lankan Tamil population. He feels a responsibility to the youth of Sri Lanka to make sure they have a peaceful future.

Amjad Mohamed-Saleem was born in Nigeria to Sri Lankan parents. He now lives in the UK, but previously worked in Sri Lanka as the country director for Muslim Aid, and continues to work on interfaith matters in the country.

Akneeswaran Jeganathapillai is a doctor and part a group of British Sri Lankan young professionals, working together with counterparts in Sri Lanka on peace-supporting projects. He says that healthcare provides a way to get people from all communities to work together.

Each person featured in this series builds a piece of the picture of the Sri Lankan diaspora.

Call for submissions

International Alert recognises that many voices are missing and the portraits in this series form only a small part of the narrative.

We therefore invite Sri Lanka’s diaspora individuals to contribute to the conversation through written responses and submitting their own video portrait, photo story or written piece to:communications@international-alert.org

All suitable videos, photo stories and written pieces will be featured on International Alert’s website. For full details visit:http://www.international-alert.org/news/diaspora-diaries-call-submissions