SAARC Film Day “PINK”At the Moon Bastion of the World Heritage City of Galle on 5th April 2024

Introduction

The first SAARC Film Day was held on 5th April 2024 in Open Air at the Moon Bastion of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Galle.  The movie was screened on a large LED screen. 

The Film PINK was directed by Mr. Aniruddha Roy Chowdhary and produced by Mr. Ronnie Lahiri who kindly confirmed the public screening rights to the SAARC Cultural Centre.  This movie with Mr. Amithabh Bachchan playing a main role accompanied by Ms. Tapasee Pannu, Ms. Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang playing the female leads addresses justice, social and cultural discrimination and double standards in the society faced by women.  This heart-rending movie captured the hearts of the audience and led to many discussions at the conclusion of the movie. 

Inauguration

The inauguration was held in conjunction with the SAARC World Puppetry Day.  Prof. Ankuran Dutta Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka joined this event as the Chief Guest representing H.E. Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.  The other eminent guests who graced this occasion are as follows:

  • H.E. Bashu Dev Mishra, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka,
  • Mr. Ali Seezan, Director of Maldives Education and Cultural Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka,
  • Mr. Ranil Wickramasekara, Deputy Chief Secretary of the Southern Provincial Council of Sri Lanka,
  • Dr. Nilan Cooray, Chairman of the Galle Heritage Foundation, Sri Lanka,
  • Dr. B.D. Nandadeva, Retired professor of the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka,
  • Mr. Sunil Dahanayake, Director of the Galle Heritage Foundation, Sri Lanka,
  • Ms. P.G.N. Chandimali, Project Assistant, Galle Heritage Foundation, Sri Lanka,
  • Ms. Sakuntala Meduwanthi Assistant Secretary representing the Cultural Secretary of the Southern Province Ministry of Culture,
  • Ms. Wasanthi Alahakoon, Regional Assistant Director for Galle and Matara from the Department of Archaeology,
  • Other Senior Officials of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka,
  • Public and tourists.

Mrs. Renuka Ekanayake Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre made the welcome address and Prof. Ankuran Dutta Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo gave a brief introduction to the Indian Cinema and the movie “Pink”.  The Deputy Director Programmes of the SAARC Cultural Centre Ms. Bindu Urugodawatte introduced the movie “PINK” to the audience and delivered the vote of thanks.