SOLD, a documentary on human trafficking premiered in Colombo last week. Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara presented the documentary for MTV EXIT as a part of the campaign to raise awareness of human trafficking and its prevention.
It has been produced together with USAID, the United States Agency for International Development and its office in the U.S. Embassy in Colombo. The documentary sheds light into the realities of trafficking, addresses the part that everyone plays in the issue, and provides information on how individuals could protect themselves against trafficking, as well as what everyone can do to help end this human tragedy. The documentary SOLD: An MTV EXIT Special has also been produced in both Sinhala and Tamil.
Mr Sangakkara and cricketer Muthiah Muralitharan, joins other international artists like Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and Lara Dutta of India who have also supported the MTV EXIT Campaign
Mr Sangakkara, the ambassador for the campaign in Sri Lanka, speaking at the launch said, “I am glad that I can use my status as a sportsperson to educate young people about a growing tragedy of human trafficking where people are being deceived and forced into prostitution, domestic servitude, and forced labour. They have their freedom taken away and are horrifically abused – the fact that this is happening today in Sri Lanka and in the rest of South Asia is shocking. I am especially proud to present “SOLD”, which is a true eye opener and hope that by spreading these messages many people will join the fight to end exploitation and trafficking”.
Patricia Butenis, U.S Ambassador to Sri Lanka said SOLD: An MTV EXIT Special is just one project, but an important one. “It complements U.S. programs around the world that help prevent trafficking, prosecute perpetrators, protect people most at risk, and reintegrate people who have been trafficked. This movie is a call to action,” she added.
Also addressing the gathering, Simon Goff MTV EXIT Campaign Director stated that as the documentary shows human trafficking is of vital importance here, both in terms of vulnerable people being trafficked and in respect to their exploitation. We hope that this campaign will provide the information needed for people to protect themselves as well as inspire others to join the struggle in fighting this menace.” |
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