Thousands of individuals from across Sri Lanka have been displaced for years, some multiple times.

For over a decade, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has documented issues related to displacement and returns, advocating reform and litigating on unjust and arbitrary practices. Two cases CPA has followed closely for years, supporting litigation and advocating land releases and durable solutions include the areas in the Jaffna district and in Sampur, Trincomalee district. With the promise of reparations and reform by the present government, some progress has been made in both these areas -some land-owners being able to return home after years of displacement. In its most recent initiative, CPA has commissioned a documentary titled ‘SAMPUR’, capturing the continuing struggles with displacement, challenges awaiting return to ones home and the hope of a new future.

Shot and produced by the award-winning documentary filmmaker and visual journalist Kannan Arunasalam, the documentary will be launched on 6 April 2016.