The ELEVATE Short Film Screening was successfully held at the University of Ruhuna on January 20, 2025, organized by the Centre for Media and Information Literacy (CMIL) in collaboration with the University Grants Commission (UGC). The event provided a platform for students, academics, and experts to engage in critical discussions on cyber gender-based violence (CGBV), and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) through the power of cinema.

The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mr. I.R. Priyantha, served as the Chief Guest, alongside key academic figures, including Prof. R.M. Wijewardhana, Dr. S.G.S. Samaraweera, Ven. Makola Mangala, and Dr. Indi Akurugoda. The screening featured 12 impactful short films, each shedding light on pressing issues such as abortion rights, menstruation stigma, cyber gender-based violence, and university ragging.

The panel discussions were insightful, with Dr. Indi Akurugoda emphasizing the need for students to voice their concerns on relationship abuse and gender-based violence while advocating for legal remedies. Other panelists, including Dr. Nisanka Ariyaratne and Dr. Nirosha Ruwan Pathirana, highlighted the importance of SRHR awareness, victim support systems, and engaging male students in conversations on gender equality.

The event concluded with  the Director of the Centre Gender Equity/ Equality of the UGC, Prof. Prabha Manuratne reinforcing the need to break the silence on gender violence and encouraging students to utilize the UGC’s reporting mechanisms. With 58 participants, the screening successfully fostered a meaningful dialogue on gender rights and university policies.