Voices of Displacement: Representing Sri Lankan Refugees in Media

Abstract

In recent years, mass media has played a crucial role in shedding light on contemporary socio-political issues across the world. Many filmmakers address pressing social concerns through cinema, creating awareness among audiences and encouraging public discourse. Such representations often help draw attention to the problems faced by victims and vulnerable communities, thereby fostering empathy and understanding. Among the many socio-political issues portrayed in contemporary cinema, the refugee crisis remains one of the most persistent and unresolved global challenges. Owing to armed conflicts, ethnic tensions, and the threat of violence, thousands of refugees are forced to flee their homeland. As a result, they experience severe psychological trauma arising from the loss of their homes, property, employment, identity, and access to basic necessities. The Indian Tamil film Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir foregrounds the struggles of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in India. The title, which translates as “Every place is my hometown, and everyone is my kin,” reflects the refugees’ quest for belonging and highlights the traumatic consequences of the three-decade-long Sri Lankan ethnic conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese. Set against the backdrop of the Sri Lankan Civil War and the subsequent refugee exodus, the film explores issues such as violence, identity crises, ethnic discrimination, forced displacement, psychological trauma, border-control challenges, suspicion of terrorism, and the difficulties involved in obtaining refugee status. Through its powerful narrative, the film serves as a poignant commentary on the complex challenges faced by refugees in the contemporary world and underscores the urgent need for compassion, justice, and social inclusion.