The documentary “Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines,” supported by the Pulitzer Center, clinched two accolades at the Second Jalgaon International Film Festival held in India. It was awarded for Best Social Film and Best Screenplay.
Set in Sri Lanka during the aftermath of an economic breakdown in 2024, the film sheds light on the challenges faced by farmers and educators in a secluded village in the North Central province. Personal narratives from locals are intertwined with insights from policymakers, economists, and the former Prime Minister of Colombo.
The documentary, spearheaded by Pakistani journalist and filmmaker Beena Sarwar, in collaboration with Sri Lankan historian and filmmaker Dr. SinhaRaja Tammita Delgoda, who co-wrote and co-directed the production, along with researcher Uditha Devapriya, premiered in Colombo in July 2024.
Its debut screening was held at the Barberyn Ayurveda resort in Weligama, southern Sri Lanka, followed by an official premiere at a cinema in Colombo, organized by Factum International. The event in July 2024 was attended by ambassadors, political dignitaries, journalists, scholars, and retired military personnel.
Subsequently, “Democracy in Debt” has been showcased at more than 80 occasions across 25 nations, including cities in the United States like Boston and Buffalo, as well as various South Asian locations such as Karachi, Lahore, Jaipur, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Dhaka, and Kathmandu.