‘Disability is Possibility’

Shedding light on the talents of the differently- abled young persons attached to Sunera workshops in  various regions,  the finals of the Samanalayaya 2014 (Field of Butterflies) is going on board at Lionel Wendt, on July 16th at 7.00 p.m with the sponsorship of HSBC.
Samanalayaya Drama Festival is the key event in the Sunera calendar organised with a view to showcase the creativity of Sunera participants from our workshops around the island. The annual drama festival is gaining momentum every year as it becomes an event much looked forward to by the participants, their families and the public.

Leading up to the final performance in Colombo were nine regional drama festivals held over a span of three months, showcasing the talents of over 1000 differently-abled participants from 25 Sunera Foundation Performing Arts Workshops spread across the country. Each workshop performed a play which is conceptualised, scripted and directed by Sunera Trainers, and rehearsed by the participants for a period of six months.

As in every year, the regional performances of the Samanalayaya 2014 were held successfully where workshop participants had the opportunity to showcase their skills in dancing and drama to a public audience made up of their friends, family and the community from their locality. These regional drama festivals create public awareness on the unique work done by Sunera, using the performing arts as a therapeutic tool for the disabled. It also gives our participants an opportunity to get on stage and showcase their talent and creativity to their communities.

The regional performances were evaluated by a panel of jury and the best three plays were selected for the finals in Colombo.

This year’s best dramas were produced by Anamaduwa, Kobeigane and Thalawa workshop participants who will be performing at Lionel Wendt on the 16th.

The Sunera Foundation has organised this drama festival with the objective to raise public awareness about the creative talents of the differently-abled by show casing their potential. This, they believe, would not just instill self-confidence in them, but also facilitate the integration of this marginalised group into mainstream society.