Human Rights and Theater Communication in Post-war Sri Lanka

Thevanayagam Thevananth

HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN ASIA-PACIFIC · VOLUME 10, 2020

The Sri Lankan Minority Tamils are living in an environment where their right to freedom of expression is denied. This situation was at its worst during the 2005–2015 war period. Although there was a little improvement in the situation after regime change due to the presidential election held on the 8 January 2015, the structures, practices, and attitudes left behind by the former government continued. In 2019, the political party of the former government came back to power only with majority Sinhala voters. The opportunities for free exchange of ideas remained limited. The state stringency that prevailed for more than a decade made the traditional exchange and expression of ideas normally found among the people extinct. In particular, all opportunities for gathering at the village esplanade, temples, playgrounds, and cultural events were hindered by state stringency. Places where people congregate were subjected to surveillance. Voices critical of the state were monitored by state agents. Hence, congregating and exchanging ideas have become filled with fear. People avoid gathering together because of this situation, where everyone was suspicious of the other. In addition, people who criticized the government were threatened with violence to create an overt fear psychosis. Some people suffered this violence, such as when waste oil was thrown on houses. Fear of death began to dwell in each person as unidentified persons “move around.” Even today, freedom of expression in Sri Lanka requires a more conducive atmosphere. The fear of monitoring by state intelligence officers or unidentified persons persists. As a result, every individual learned to live with some sort of self-censorship. This situation caused a sort of stagnation, including the environment for artistic creation.

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Human Rights and Theater Communication in Post-war Sri Lanka