• Awakasha’s mission to keep Sri Lankan stories alive abroad

Lankan communities abroad, although no longer situated in their homeland, often still yearn for a cultural connection with their roots. 

A recent move by Australian-based entertainment firm Awakasha Entertainment seeks to build a bridge between Sri Lankan artistic expression and audiences abroad. Co-founded by Samitha De Mel and Hasitha Basnayake, the institution was born out of a shared vision to carve out meaningful space for Sri Lankan films, stage plays, and musical productions on Australian soil.

Since its inception in 2023, Awakasha Entertainment has played a pioneering role in bringing contemporary Sri Lankan cinema to the Australian screen. From the critically acclaimed ‘Doosra’ by Channa Deshapriya and ‘Sihina Nelum Mal’ by Shameera Naotunna, to Asoka Handagama’s thought-provoking ‘Rani’ and a special screening of ‘Maria’ by Aruna Jayawardana, the company has quietly built a reputation for championing bold, local storytelling in the Australian context. 

Outside of film, Awakasha has also ventured into creating a platform for telling Sri Lankan stories live, notably producing ‘Aphrodite Mal Kollaya,’ a stage play directed by Sachithra Rahubadda that toured across Australia for nearly a month. In music too, the company’s footprint is growing with the team managing last year’s ‘Nethata Ulelak’ concert – a resounding success culminating in a major performance at the BMICH after a 25-year hiatus.

The Awakasha story

During a brief visit to Sri Lanka, Hasitha and Samitha sat down with The Sunday Morning Brunch to talk about what led them to create Awakasha, the journey so far, and their plans for the future.

Samitha shared that Awakasha Entertainment’s entire ethos was to do something new that shook up the event industry and brought a fresh perspective to how Sri Lankan art was experienced abroad. “We wanted to create something different and not be just another event company, but a platform that meaningfully connects art and people,” he said. 

As two individuals living in Australia, both Samitha and Hasitha quickly recognised a significant opportunity in the large and growing Sri Lankan migrant population across Australian cities, all looking for valuable ways to stay connected to their roots.  

“There was this undeniable gap,” Samitha explained. “People wanted to feel closer to home. And what better way to bridge that distance than through art? Our mission has been simple; take what’s popular and beloved in Sri Lanka – films, plays, and concerts – and make them accessible to Sri Lankan audiences overseas.”

One of their very first projects was the staging of ‘Aphrodite Mal Kollaya,’ a wildly popular theatrical production in Sri Lanka. Bringing it to Australia was no small feat. 

“It was a big risk,” Samitha admitted. “We had to manage every aspect, from flying in the artists and crew to arranging accommodation, securing venues, and promoting the event to the right audience.” But the gamble paid off. The production played to an audience of over 700, receiving tremendous support and acclaim. “That success validated everything we believed in. It showed us that the demand was real and the community was ready for more.”

Samitha explained that at its heart, Awakasha Entertainment was about creating events, thoughtfully curated experiences that brought Sri Lankan art to life for Australian audiences. 

“When it comes to selecting what we showcase, we’re very hands-on. We pick the productions ourselves because we believe there has to be a certain standard – a quality check. Both Hasitha and I are true lovers of the arts, and as Sri Lankans living abroad, we understand what resonates with our community,” he said.

Their approach is not only driven by passion but also by a strong sense of responsibility. They don’t simply act as intermediaries; they work closely with the creators and take on the full operational load of organising an event from start to finish. 

“Once we have identified a production we believe in, we handle everything,” Samitha shared. “From ticketing and networking to branding, promotions, and venue logistics, we make sure everything is aligned for a successful experience in Australia.”

Importantly, they also look after the artists themselves. Whether it’s travel arrangements, accommodation, or ensuring their well-being while abroad, Awakasha Entertainment takes a comprehensive and respectful approach. 

“We treat every production and every artist with care,” Samitha noted. “It’s not just about importing entertainment. It’s about creating a meaningful cultural exchange.”

Building core memories for audiences abroad

Reflecting on the audiences they had reached so far, Samitha shared that the majority tended to be members of the Sri Lankan diaspora – people who had lived in Australia for decades, often 30 or even 40 years. 

“It’s always a mix,” he said. “You’ll see families, individuals, and people from different ethnic backgrounds who once called Sri Lanka home but now live far away. What unites them is that deep emotional connection to Sri Lankan culture.”

He acknowledged that audience demographics could vary significantly depending on the production. 

“To be perfectly honest, the response changes from project to project,” he explained. “But one of the most interesting shifts we noticed was with the screening of ‘Rani.’ That film had a strong marketing push in Sri Lanka and that momentum really carried over. It created curiosity and recognition; even among those who hadn’t seen the film before, there was already a buzz.”

Looking ahead, Awakasha Entertainment is gearing up for its next major screening: ‘Devi Kusumasana.’ True to form, Samitha and Hasitha are once again taking the reins, carefully managing the logistics to bring another acclaimed Sri Lankan production to the Australian stage. “It’s all about consistency,” Samitha said. “We want to keep the momentum going, keep audiences engaged, and most importantly, keep sharing what Sri Lankan art has to offer.”

Brunch also spoke with Swarna Mallawarachchi, the veteran actress and lead in ‘Rani,’ who shared her reflections on Awakasha Entertainment and its role in promoting Sri Lankan cinema abroad. 

“What they’re doing is very important,” she said. “They are bridging a gap that currently exists in the event industry. There is so much good cinema and meaningful art being created in Sri Lanka, and Awakasha is helping to take that to the world.” 

Swarna commended their thoughtful approach and dedication to quality, adding: “From what I can see, they are focused not just on screenings, but also on sharing the heart of our stories with a wider audience. I truly appreciate the work they’re doing and I would encourage others in the industry to support and collaborate with them.”

Creating space for a shared experience 

Brunch also reached out to Sri Lankan expatriates living in other parts of the world to understand how the concept of screening Sinhala and Tamil films outside Sri Lanka resonated with global communities. 

Eraisa Ifthikar, a student currently based in Canada, expressed her enthusiasm for the idea. “I would absolutely love the opportunity to watch Sri Lankan films in Canada,” she said. “When I lived in Colombo, going to the cinema was something I looked forward to. But now that I’m abroad, it’s really hard to find streaming platforms that feature new Sri Lankan films. Seeing one in an actual theatre would be so special.” 

She noted that unless she returned home, that experience was nearly impossible to recreate, while adding that she was certain that the large Sri Lankan community in Canada would support such screenings wholeheartedly. “It’s more than just entertainment,” she said. “It’s about staying connected to who we are.”

Similarly, Brunch spoke to Anya Gunasekara, an Australian-born with Sri Lankan parents who did her primary schooling in Sri Lanka before moving back to Australia. While she noted that the Sri Lankan population in her immediate surroundings was relatively small, she emphasised the significance of such initiatives when travelling or connecting with diaspora communities in other countries. 

“Every time I travel – whether it’s to Australia, Canada, or even parts of the UK – I meet Sri Lankans who have made their lives abroad, and there are entire neighbourhoods that feel like little extensions of home,” she shared. “Bringing Sri Lankan films and art to these spaces would be such an innovative way to help people stay in touch with their roots. Honestly, I think it could be considered a real service to the community. It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about identity and connection.”

By bringing Sri Lankan stories to screens and stages across Australia, Awakasha is helping create a space where art becomes a shared experience, where identity is celebrated, and where diaspora communities can stay connected to their roots while also redefining what it means to be a Sri Lankan abroad and reaffirming the global relevance of Sri Lankan art.