Tharangani Theatre, Colombo, 9 June 2026 – The Sarvodaya Institute for Higher Learning (SIHL), in collaboration with the World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD), and under the guidance of Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne and Dr. Sudipta Roy, Senior Researcher at WFDD, hosted the premiere of Ditwaahsha, a compelling documentary that sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women religious leaders in disaster recovery and reconciliation efforts. Directed by Dr. Udan Fernando and his team, the documentary highlights inspiring stories of faith, resilience, and community leadership in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The premiere, held at the Tharangani Theatre of the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, drew an audience of over 150 participants, including religious leaders, academics, civil society representatives, development practitioners, artists, and members of the public.

Ditwaahsha chronicles the remarkable work of women religious leaders from Sri Lanka’s four major faith traditions—Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity—during the recovery and reconciliation process following Cyclone Ditwah. In a social context where women’s leadership within faith communities is frequently under-recognized, the documentary presents a powerful and deeply human narrative of resilience, solidarity, compassion, and the transformative role of faith during times of crisis.

Jointly produced by the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and the World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD), the documentary stands as a testament to the potential of interfaith cooperation and gender-inclusive, gender-sensitive leadership in humanitarian action. Through personal stories and lived experiences, the film brings to light the critical contributions of women faith actors in supporting affected communities and fostering social cohesion in the aftermath of disaster.

Research Presentation Highlights

Following the screening, Dr. Novil Wijesekara presented key findings from the research study titled “Role of Religious Organizations and Leadership in Synergizing Resilience: A Gendered Analysis during Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.”

The presentation provided a robust academic foundation to the themes explored in the documentary, offering evidence-based insights into the significant yet often underappreciated role of faith-based organizations and religious leaders in strengthening community resilience. Particular emphasis was placed on the contributions of women religious leaders in promoting recovery, social cohesion, and reconciliation in disaster-affected communities.

Engaging Panel Discussion

The documentary screening and research presentation were followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne featuring distinguished voices from the fields of faith, film, ethics, and development.

The panel included:

Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero, Executive Director of the Walpola Rahula Institute for Buddhist Studies

Anomaa Rajakaruna, Founder and Festival Director of the Agenda 14 Short Film Festival, acclaimed filmmaker and producer

Ramla Wahab-Salman, Executive Director of the American Institute of Lankan Studies and documentary filmmaker

Suchith Abeyewickreme, Senior Technical Lead for Ethics Education at Arigatou International (Switzerland) and Board Member of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR)

The discussion generated meaningful reflections on the intersections of faith, gender, storytelling, and social transformation. Panelists emphasized the urgent need to document and amplify stories such as those portrayed in Ditwaahsha, highlighting their relevance for both policy discourse and community engagement.

Acknowledgements

The success of Ditwaahsha was made possible through the collective efforts of many individuals and institutions. Special appreciation is extended to Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne and Dr. Sudipta Roy for their leadership and guidance, and to Dr. Novil Wijesekara and Dr. Udan Fernando and his production team for bringing the documentary to life with creativity and excellence. Heartfelt thanks are also due to the religious leaders who generously shared their experiences, as well as to the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Tharangani Theatre for their invaluable support and SIHL team in making the premiere a success.

As the evening concluded, Ditwaahsha left audiences with a powerful reminder of the vital role women faith leaders play in strengthening resilience, fostering reconciliation, and building more inclusive communities.