By Chenelle Fernando
Since its initiation in 2011, V-Day provides a platform to host interviews, discussions, and conversations on gender-based and intimate partner violence in Sri Lanka.
Hosted by Grassrooted Trust, this year’s line-up is written by Paba Deshapriya, Dharini Priscilla, and Hans Billimoria under the direction of Jith Peiris and Hans Billimoria, with the production done by Lihan Mendis.
With its own original content since its inception, Pieris indicated that the segments will be available in English, Sinhala, and Tamil.
Interestingly, what differentiates this year’s programme, titled V Day 2019: Colombo 7, from the previous years would be its underlying concept. As Peiris asserted, whenever they conduct programmes of this nature, people often suggest they “take it to the villages as they must know more about it”. However, a lot of it does, in fact, take place right here in Colombo.
Peiris indicated: “Speaking to parents and individuals over the phone, there have been tremendous instances where girls have been abused, but they do not want to talk about it, but the child suffers.”
Whilst this, in essence, is the point they hope to get across, they will be focusing on women of all walks of life with special emphasis placed on younger girls and what they go through.
This year’s line up consists of performances by renowned actors and actresses of Lankan English theatre. Bhoomi Harendran, Dharini Priscilla, W. Jayasiri, Dino Corea, Dominic Kellar, Gehan Blok, Kapila Rasanayake, Lihan Mendis, and Pia Hatch, to name a few.
Speaking on the performances for this week’s programme, Peiris stated that it will include the portrayal of situations that take place at numerous settings such as households and inside buses. This being the most common one here in Colombo, Peiris asserted: “This is a well-known thing and it happens everywhere. It’ll be showcased through a lovely skit that is assured to be a real eye opener.”
V Day 2019: Colombo 7 takes place today, Sunday, 31 March from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at IdeaHell, 45/6, Alwis Place, Colombo 3.
Call: 0777 444 444
