‘The Last Phase’ screened in Colombo

‘The Last Phase’, a documentary film depicting the true life story of a former female LTTE cadre during the final stages of the humanitarian operation was screened at a glittering function held at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo early this week.

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa graced the ceremony as the chief guest.

The 45 minute documentary is directed and edited by Jeevan Chandimal, a veteran in the local film industry. 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. She like many others grew up with guns around her. Though she was an exceptional student she was not allowed to pursue higher education. Instead she was made to join the terrorist outfit as a medical cadre.

Her ordeal during the final stages of the war left her with indelible scars. Her family bears witness to unspeakable acts of cruelty being committed upon people by the LTTE during the last stages of the war. In the final stages when they were trying to cross over to the army they get separated in a shell blast until they are reunited with the help of the security forces months later. Jayawadanee and her seven day old child both sustain serious injuries in the mortar blast directed at them by the LTTE in order to stop them from fleeing to safety.



Presented by Richard Mundy and Anjani Perera the documentary follows the life of the main character, Jayawadanee through her ordeals from childhood to the final moments of the war at the earth bund. The authenticity of the story is supported by actual footages of Senchcholai and the final stages of the war.



At a time when the nation celebrates four years of peace with the end of the Tamil Tiger terrorist group this documentary attempts to penetrate the dark mysteries of death, horror, violence and crimes against humanity with credible and authentic real life evidences.



Interestingly, it is only the final phase of this prolonged human suffering of a nation that has been brought under international scrutiny.



Jayawadanee’s experience is an eye opener for the uninitiated who continuously hound the government for accountability. Sri Lanka was fighting a separatist terrorist outfit that invented the radicalization process which introduced suicide terrorism to the world. They trained little children to carry guns, killed and maimed innocent people mercilessly and their cruelty was not only restricted to here but also crossed the borders carry out their murderous rampage in neighboring soil as well.



Sri Lanka’s post war revival is unique. Nowhere in the world has a country rehabilitated former combatants, built houses, provided jobs and looked after them except in Sri Lanka. In doing so it has given an example to the world.



Terrorism threatens to tear apart the very fabric of life of the human race. Dealing with it needs empathy toward its victims, judgment- free of prejudice, and genuine interest to help those directly threatened by it. And ‘Jayawadanee’ is a classic Sri Lankan example to the world.



Mrs. Wasantha Senevirathne, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Colombo made the keynote address. A panel discussion headed by Prof. Sharya Scharenguivel, Head of Department of Private and Comparative Law, UoC, Mrs. Wasantha Senevirathne, Mrs. Rose Wijesekera , Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, UoC was also held during the event.



A large number of invitees including ambassadors, Chief of Defence Staff, tri forces heads, think tanks, academics, senior government officials, NGO heads and local and foreign media personnel were present at the occasion.