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Tracy
Oct 08 2026
28BBDO Group Sri Lanka premiered Deleted Scenes, a collection of seven short films exploring workplace harassment, at PVR Cinemas at One Galle Face, Colombo, on 6 October 2026. The films depicted workplace situations that can be difficult to recognise or address openly, with the aim of encouraging discussion and reflection.
The project began as an employee-led creative initiative that invited BBDO Group Sri Lanka employees to explore their understanding of workplace harassment through short-film scripts.
“Deleted Scenes was created to encourage thoughtful discussion around a subject that is often difficult to address openly. As a creative organisation, storytelling is what we do best, and we wanted to use that strength to bring different workplace situations to life, encourage reflection and contribute to a broader conversation around more respectful working cultures,” said Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman of BBDO Group Sri Lanka.
The internal call attracted 24 submissions, from which seven scripts were selected by an independent judging panel comprising award-winning film director Shanaka Galagoda; winner of the Most Popular Actress and Best Actress awards at the 2026 Sarasaviya Film Awards Sandra Mack; award-winning film producer Hiranya Perera; and award-winning cinematographer and filmmaker Hasitha Warnasooriya. The selected scripts were then developed into short films by award-winning directors and production teams from Sri Lanka’s creative industry.
The line-up included Talk Keroth Puluwan, written by Amila Yahalawela, directed by Chathra Weeraman and produced by Praveen Kulasinghe of Strawberry Films; The Flip, written by Sandini Tennakoon and Thamal Manjitha Weerasinghe, directed by Vishwa Balasooriya and produced by Ravin Wettasinghe of Mantra Films; and Extra Mile, written by Ruchira Kurulugama, directed by Dulitha Nanayakkara and produced by Sumedha Jayawardana.
Also featured were Senuli Missge Car Eka, written by Sahan De Silva, directed by Janaka R. Dommanige and produced by Chamin Dissanayake of Origin Films; and Harmony Index, written by Praveena Perera, directed by Malaka Premasiri and produced by Virgil Thomas of Spectrum Studios.
Completing the collection were Error, written by Heshan Kuruppu and Maleesha Dilhani, directed by Shakthi Laknatha and produced by Ishfaq Thaha of Fever; and How to Stay Not Out, written by Janidu Siriwardena, directed by Dilon De Silva and produced by Priyantha Kaluaarachchi of 24 Frames.
Ahead of the screening, a panel discussion brought together perspectives from advocacy, responsible business, film and advertising. The panel comprised Mariam Mohamed, Legal and Programme Manager at Women In Need; Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka; Film Producer Hiranya Perera; Thayalan Bartlett, Executive
Chairman of BBDO Group Sri Lanka; and Harendra Uyanage, Chief Creative Officer of BBDO Group Sri Lanka, and was moderated by Uma W. Indatissa.
The discussion focused on workplace misconduct, organisational responsibility and the
importance of creating environments in which people feel able to question inappropriate conduct and raise concerns. It also explored how organisations can encourage open discussion about workplace harassment and support more respectful working cultures.
The initiative followed Sri Lanka’s ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), on 16 April 2026. Through familiar workplace settings, Deleted Scenes explored behaviours that can be difficult to recognise or discuss openly.
What began as an employee-led initiative at BBDO Group Sri Lanka now offers a resource for organisations to support ongoing efforts to foster respectful workplaces. Organisations are invited to use the seven short films in Deleted Scenes to complement their awareness initiatives and encourage further discussion about workplace harassment within their teams.
