The 81-episode teledrama reflects life’s hardships and opportunities for a bumpy boat ride that offers a life-threatening escape route  

According to a comprehensive parliamentary report by the Australian Government, as many as 33 boat turn-backs have been reported between December 2013 and June 2018 – they have carried a total of 810 asylum-seekers from Sri  Lanka. Although Colombo is described as the commercial capital of the country, several segments of the urban population still experience the burden of abject poverty. Their ordeals have been clouded by mighty skyscrapers, deluxe condominiums and international hotel chains that define Colombo’s skyline apart from other beautified localities in the metropolis. Giving life to the tales of Aravinda, Dora, Janajeewa, Kamani, Sarojini, Raja, Ananda and Salgado, a teledrama themed ‘Ado,’ directed by Supun Rathnayake, adds profound depth into the pressing issues of Sri Lankan asylum-seekers in Australia.

Social status versus love 

Manned by a stellar cast comprising veteran and amateur artistes, the 81 episodes of ‘Ado’ speaks volumes on how people attempt to battle their lives towards success. The bond shared by Meesha and Dora highlights the reasons why many relationships fall apart in the present context. Meesha Gunawardena, a celebrated singer who worries about his social status, is played by Shyam Fernando and Dora, a doctor who yearned for a simple and happy life is played by Samanalee Fonseka. 

They have many imperfections that make them look good together, but as Meesha gets trapped in his profession, Dora falls in love with Aravinda, played by Dasun Pathirana, an artiste who enjoys the little things in life. Their intimate relationship goes to the extent of impregnating Dora. Worried that this new addition to their life would damage Meesha’s social image, Dora advices Aravinda to leave for Australia by boat and promises to meet him there – which never happens; Meesha and Dora’s relationship falls apart. Aravinda becomes depressed and dies on Christmas  Island moments before a boat arrives to rescue them. 

Manned by a stellar cast comprising veteran and amateur artistes, the 81 episodes of ‘Ado’ speaks volumes on how people attempt to battle their lives towards success

Kamani’s dilemma  

Janajeewa and Kamani are played by Madura Prabhashwara Balasuriya and Shalani Tharaka respectively. They live a happy life against the many odds they encounter. Having to take care of three children, life wasn’t as easy as they thought it to be and Janajeewa can’t survive with his income as a barber. The only option seems to be leaving to Australia by boat to find the means to feed his family. Having mortgaged their house on interest, Janajeewa secures Rs.3.3 million to pay for the journey and leaves with much hope. Days go by and Kamani has no way of raising an income. There’s no response from her doting husband. Later, she receives the news that he had died. This prompted her to work as a Juki machine operator and even start her own sewing business from home. A lady that was well-respected in her ‘watta’ later realises that dignity cannot put food on the table. She eventually starts going to the club to earn a few extra bucks and is sexually abused by a man. Thereafter, she invites ‘clients’ to visit her at home while her children go to school and becomes tagged a sex worker. But Janajeewa returns three years later to be greeted by an astonished ‘poli mudalali’ (local lender) played by W.  Jayasiri who walks out of Janajeewa’s house buttoning his shirt. 

Exposing media’s selfish traits 

Sandun Alawaththegama played by Kalana Gunasekara is a renowned journalist who plans to pen an article on Sri Lankan asylum-seekers in Australia. For this he joins the rest of the group on the boat along with Thabu. Initially acting like two friends, those in the boat soon realise that Sandun is having an extramarital affair with Thabu. When Sandun’s family doesn’t hear from him, they go to meet the newspaper editor who advices Sandun’s sister to protest in front of the Australian Embassy and post a video on social media to draw attention. Little does she know that she is being used for a headline in his newspaper while being ridiculed by a larger audience. 

Moreover, ‘Ado’ underscores as to why people boat to Australia. Fraudsters like Raja and Ananda, played by Sarath Chandrasiri and Ananda Athukorala, who cheat people over money, escape the country to keep away from law enforcement authorities. Sarojini, played by Jayani Senanayake, leaves the country to see her son for the last time, but breathes her last while on Christmas  Island when people like Harry leave for Australia to settle down and find personal residence. Apart from that, the boat owner played by Janak Premalal, who should be responsible for those 24 lives that left the country, only shows that he’s more concerned about his boat and money and not the lives of innocent people. 

As such, many asylum-seekers lose their money, residences and possessions while chasing big dreams. ‘Ado’ is one of those teledramas that attempt to capture the essence of many social issues in one frame. The cast and directorial team succeed in disseminating some strong messages to the society.