Images Courtesy of Saskia Fernando Gallery

Ten years ago, activist and contemporary artist Chandraguptha Thenuwara created an exhibition called The Vigil and Other Works, dedicated to remembering the disappeared and to the families who are forced to live with the disappearances that occurred during the civil war, and particularly those who had disappeared between 1987 – 1990.

In one installation, a candle was lit in each of the hollow cutouts representing the photographs of missing loved ones the many women in white carried with them, hoping to find clues about them, or strangers who might recognise their husbands, sons or brothers.

The artist also created a memorial to the disappeared near St. Cecilia’s church at Raddoluwa junction in Seeduwa, where people gather to remember their family members who have disappeared.

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