On February 25, the Goethe Institute became a beacon of hope and resilience as it hosted the screening of Anomaa Rajakaruna’s documentary, Justice in Flames.
The film not only sheds light on the monumental 2022 public movement known as ‘Aragalaya,’ but also delves into the artistic defiance that defined it. At its heart lies the story of celebrated artist Sujith Rathnayake and his team, who transformed ‘Gotagogama’ — the iconic Galle Face protest site — into an arena of creative resistance.
Aragalaya: A Movement ignited by desperation and solidarity
The Aragalaya Movement emerged as a monumental uprising in 2022, fuelled by Sri Lanka’s crippling economic mismanagement, soaring inflation, and dire shortages of essential goods. This protest transcended social, religious, and ethnic boundaries, uniting people in a shared demand for justice. It was not merely a call for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa but a collective cry for systemic change.
Rajakaruna’s lens captured the visceral essence of this Movement, spotlighting how individuals used art to channel their despair and hope into a peaceful revolution. The documentary portrays the power of creativity as a vehicle for protest, focusing on the contributions of Rathnayake and the art gallery he spearheaded at Gotagogama.
Anomaa Rajakaruna: an unflinching chronicler of truth
Anomaa Rajakaruna’s journey as a filmmaker spans over four decades, during which she has cemented her legacy as a voice for the unheard. Known for her unrelenting commitment to social justice, her documentaries often eschew traditional narration, relying instead on the raw authenticity of her subjects’ voices.
Justice in Flames forms the second part of her Justice trilogy, which began with Cross of Justice — a documentary that earned the Calcutta Bronze Award for Best Documentary at the South Asian Short Film Festival in 2023. In this series, she masterfully intertwines art and activism, turning her lens towards individuals who embody resilience. Her approach, rooted in extensive research and an aversion to rigid scripting, allows her narratives to unfold organically, driven by the realities she documents.
Despite the challenges of self-funding and censorship, especially when addressing human rights and wartime realities, Rajakaruna remains undeterred. Her critically acclaimed Women and War exemplifies her philosophy: documenting is not merely recording history but ensuring its lessons resonate for future generations.
“History needs to be told, not silenced,” she asserts. “If we don’t know what has happened, how can we ensure it doesn’t happen again?”
Sujith Rathnayake: redefining art as resistance
For Sujith Rathnayake, art is an intensely personal process — a form of meditation and self-dialogue. However, the Aragalaya Movement turned his deeply introspective practice outward, transforming his creations into powerful acts of activism. Witnessing the collective suffering and systemic injustices faced by his fellow citizens, Rathnayake embraced his role as a conduit for their voices.
His March 2023 exhibition, Crisis and Struggle (Arbudayasaha Aragalaya) showcased this transformation. Held at the Lionel Wendt Gallery and self-funded with over Rs. 25 lakhs, the exhibition paid tribute to victims of police brutality and celebrated the resilience of those who stood against oppression. His work, often infused with raw emotion and striking visuals, serves as a stark reminder of art’s potential to challenge societal norms and foster justice.
Rathnayake’s collaboration with Rajakaruna in ‘Justice in Flames’ allowed him to reflect on his evolution as an artist and activist. “It reminded me of why I stood up, why I used my art to voice the people’s struggle,” he said. His journey underscores art’s ability to transcend mere expression, becoming a force for societal accountability and transformation.
A legacy of courage, creativity and change
‘Justice in Flames’ is not just a documentary, it is a chronicle of courage, a tribute to resilience, and a call to action. Through the lens of Anomaa Rajakaruna and the brushstrokes of Sujith Rathnayake, the Aragalaya Movement is immortalized as a testament to the enduring power of solidarity and creativity.
While the Movement may not have brought immediate systemic change, it ignited a spark of collective consciousness. It reminded Sri Lankans that their voices, though disparate, could unite to challenge injustice. As Rathnayake aptly reflects, “Art doesn’t have to exist in isolation; it can be a powerful tool for societal change.”
The ‘Justice’ trilogy stands as a beacon for those who dare to dream of a better future, urging us to remember, reflect, and rise. Rajakaruna and Rathnayake prove that art and storytelling, when wielded with purpose, can shape not individual hearts but the destiny of an entire nation.
