Painstaking efforts of Al-Jaseera TV crew have produced two 21 minute pieces of mid boggling reality facing Sri Lanka.Before it went on air the programme producer Juliana Ruhfus arranged a special pre-over view of the screening of the recordings to the public at the Frontline Club at 13 Norfolk Place, Paddington, London on 13 August 2007.
The screening followed by interactive discussions confirmed high standard of the programme. Juliana herself presented the programme and answered all the questions raised. Approximately 60 people from cross section of the population, majority of them from the wider community attended.
The filming incorporated three 21-minute films, the first one about the effect of the government's military campaign in the east, the second about the role of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the third one was about the LTTE's fundraising efforts in the diaspora. The latter one was screened few months ago.
The first documentary poignantly highlighted the situation prevailing in the Eastern Sri Lanka. Both Karuna lead TMVP and the Sri Lankan government came under constructive review highlighting the predicament prevailing there. Karuna group was blamed for child recruitment and highhanded activities in the east, whilst the government forces were exposed for taking a passive approach towards Karuna group.
The civilian comments summed up the real need that they want peace. Even the Muslim civilians interviewed were critical of Karuna group. When he programme presenter and coordinator Juliana asked about the LTTE activities the very same crowd critical of Karuna group maintained silence reflecting their fear to expose the LTTE in the manner the exposed the TMVP. This particular circumstance clearly highlighted the emerging democracy amidst fear psychosis of the people for the LTTE in the east.
An outspoken EPRLF representative when questioned whether he had no fear to speak said 'I am dead long time ago'. This reflected the sentiments of the hopeless situation prevailing for the people.
The second part of the documentary appropriately reflected the extreme Sinhala psyche of the JVP and JHU. This piece aptly confirmed the insight into the inherent hatred of extreme rightwing Sinhalese towards the Tamils which is dictating the politics of Sri Lanka since independence in 1948.
The two pieces were short of any interviews with the government ministers or President or even a visit to the LTTE controlled Vanni or the northern Jaffna peninsula. This is something possibly stored for the future by the Al-Jaseera,
The third screening of course was about LTTE fund raising in the UK, which was screened in April this year and expected to be screened again with the new documentaries.
During discussion time very many questions were asked about politics in Sri Lanka. Everyone present highly praised the quality of the documentaries. Al-Jaseera came under some tirades from handful of LTTE activists and a JHU activist present. The LTTE'rs were making critical comments reflecting their prejudices about the fundraising programme and the JHU man went on to reflect his prejudices without dealing with the documentary. Instead of focusing on raising questions about the documentaries the LTTE and the JHU men went on personal tirades aagainst individuals interviewed by Al-Jaseera.
The recordings are expected to be broadcast in the Al-Jaseera TV (English channel) in two weeks time. These documentaries are well worth viewing many times and preserving as they give constructive insight into the situation in Sri Lanka.
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