‘The Last Phase’, screened at EU Parliament

28 November 2013 06:33 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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‘The Last Phase’, a documentary film depicting the life story of a former female LTTE cadre during the final stages of the humanitarian operation in Sri Lanka was screened on Thursday at the European Union (EU) Parliament in Brussels for the first time.

The event was hosted by the Chair of the Friends of Sri Lanka Group in the EU Parliament Geoffrey Van Orden, Member of the European Parliament representing the Conservatives of UK.

Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and European Union P.M Amza, speaking at the event at the invitation of the Chair, said that when he first saw the film, earlier this year, as a native Tamil speaker, it convinced him, that this is a story that speaks volumes about the untold sufferings of hundreds of thousands of Tamils, at the hands of the Tamil Tigers and it also amply proves that even the cadres, who once believed in the cause of the Tamil Tigers and fought for them were not spared, when they decided to escape for life. On the other hand, it also talks about the overwhelming sympathy and compassion extended to affected people by many unknown, including the military personnel, the medical staff etc, irrespective of any differences in cast, creed or ethnicity. "This conviction made me as the Head of Sri Lanka Mission to EU, to get the film crew to visit Brussels and to screen this film for the first time in the EU Parliament in Brussels", he said.

The documentary revolves around the life of a former LTTE female cadre who grew up at 'Senchcholai', the LTTE run orphanage for tamil children. 'Jayawadanee' was brought up in an environment that was deliberately planned to portray the other side as the necessary evil.

Mr. Van Orden while stating that as friends, we have not hesitated to express our honest opinions regarding Sri Lanka, but it appears there is unbalanced observance on the country. No one seems to have noticed that more Tamils had died as a result of the actions by the Tamil Tigers, than by the Government forces. Any war is brutal, but much happened as a result of what LTTE was doing at that time, he said.

Mr. Richard Mundy, the British national who narrates the film, addressed the gathering shared his experience in Sri Lanka and described his motivation to be part of the project. He said during the eleven years he has been living in Sri Lanka, he encountered people from all walks of life and travelled extensively in the country. The story of Jayawadhani and the immense courage she has demonstrated to reconcile with what went on in her life and the determination to move forward, made him want to be part of the film he said. He did not hesitate to say that he was embarrassed, as a national of UK, to see Briton's Prime Minister wagging his finger at Sri Lanka. Referring to his personal experience both through the bloody terrorist campaigns in the Middle East and also in the Northern Ireland conflicts, he said it is not fair to criticize. "These people deserve a chance", he said. He invited those interested to visit the country and then to form their own opinions.

The Director of the Film Mr. Jeevan Chandimal told that although the film, is about Jayawadhani the former Tiger combatant; it goes beyond a single person's life story. It is the plight of many like her, and it is also the story of people in Sri Lanka trying to recover. They need empathy and help, and that is why he wanted to create this film, he said.

Following the screening of the film a follow-up discussion was held with the participation of the film crew and the audience, that comprised a section of interested people from across the diplomatic corp. based in Brussels, the representatives of academia, EU Parliament, think tanks and the Sri Lankan community. There was strong feedback from the members of the audience that the film should be screened as widely as possible, to ensure a fairer balance of media coverage.

The Last Phase full video

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Comments - 23

ind Saturday, 30 November 2013 06:33 AM

Well said!

Priyanthi Friday, 29 November 2013 04:22 AM

Bitter truth hard to stomach for some people!

Priyanthi Friday, 29 November 2013 04:24 AM

You can fool some people all the time. And some people for some time. But not all the people all the time!

FOX Friday, 29 November 2013 01:39 AM

GOD SAVE US

zorro Friday, 29 November 2013 09:04 AM

propaganda from the other end!

OMG Friday, 29 November 2013 01:50 AM

Another outcome of CHOGM

Chugum Friday, 29 November 2013 01:51 AM

Now this is a video that shows the "the truth and nothing but the truth". Not an easy sell selling low quality products.

Cobra Friday, 29 November 2013 01:51 AM

When will we get to see this movie?

Chugum Friday, 29 November 2013 01:52 AM

There were time when the Sri Lanka government expected people from overseas to folk to Sri Lanka to learn how to eradicate terrorist. Well it is still doing on at a massive burden on the tax payers of Sri Lanka. Now this?

Jayantha Saturday, 30 November 2013 10:52 AM

What happens in Sri Lanka if there is a criminal allegation against somebody? The Court will investigate and give a decision. Same thing apply to countries.

Mangala Friday, 29 November 2013 01:04 PM

So you, allow independent inquiry from your angry Neighbor about your home affair?

sanjaya dias Friday, 29 November 2013 01:06 PM

Good move to show what was really happened in srilanka

Saskia Friday, 29 November 2013 09:36 AM

Bullshit. The world knows it that these are trained people.

Suq Madique Saturday, 30 November 2013 12:59 PM

Ha ha...seems like the showing of the video is disturbing you.

Nodrog Saturday, 30 November 2013 01:00 PM

Typically the same people who jumped up when the C4 video as were shown are now crying foul?

ind Friday, 29 November 2013 06:17 AM

Well done. May them enlighten atleast for a bit.

flatwhite Sunday, 01 December 2013 03:54 AM

show it to Cameron so he will piss in his pants

anton Friday, 29 November 2013 10:30 AM

Please allow independent enquiry and show our innocence.

Senathi Siva Friday, 29 November 2013 10:49 AM

The wine and cheese to "Sell" why all this ? truth sells faster and where is it?

MAN Friday, 29 November 2013 07:22 AM

something is better than nothing

sena Friday, 29 November 2013 07:26 AM

Lets offer this to Channel 4 to see if they will telecast this or show their tiger claws to us..

samana Sunday, 01 December 2013 10:00 AM

It is internal home affair as long as husband or wife dont want to go to court , but when one of them wants help from outside and needs a divorce then it is no longer an internal matter .

sanath Thursday, 28 November 2013 11:03 PM

marvelous, it's a excellent move . Go ahead. Our mother Lanka

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‘The Last Phase’, screened at EU Parliament

Comments - 23

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