Republic of Amnesia follows the rise and fall of Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya (“The Struggle”) — the non-violent protest movement that forced authoritarian president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country in 2022. At its heart are Melani, Buwanaka, Jeana, and Chamara, young activists who lead marches, face arrest, and fight for a more inclusive future. As they challenge a corrupt political dynasty and a system built to resist change, their struggle raises a deeper question: can fragile hope survive in a country built on forgetting?

REPUBLIC OF AMNESIA (83 mins, United Kingdom 2025)

Directed by Kannan Arunasalam

Produced by Kannan Arunasalam, Hiran Balasuriya, Retold World,  International Centre for Ethnic Studies 

Executive Consultant: Rob Lemkin