Colombo International Theatre Festival 2025; bringing the world to one stage in Lanka

Sri Lanka will shortly herald once again the unique annual effort by a set of Sri Lankans initiated and headed by Mohamed Safeer 11 years ago to posit this country in the international map through the route of performing arts. 

The Colombo International Theatre Festival (CITF) which has served as a platform where scores of international theatre artistes have participated, bringing with them the power to change the world for the better through their art, will brighten up the country once again.

“Undaunted despite the many economic hardships faced to put together an international event of this stature, we continue this year as well, as an independent effort to keep theatre alive and to showcase Sri Lanka to theatre enthusiasts worldwide,” states theatre director, actor and art director Mohamed Safeer.

This year the CITF will commence on 25 August and continue till 4 September, being staged in Colombo and Chilaw where a range of performances from within the country as well as globally will be showcased.

The 11th Colombo International Theatre Festival (CITF) will felicitate Dr. Ravibandu Vidyapathi, with Korean Theatre Association Chair Prof. Son Jeung-woo attending as Chief Guest.

The CITF is an endeavour of Inter Act Art launched over a decade ago by Safeer and a group of theatre practitioners committed to developing national theatre by bridging cultural and language boundaries through the universal language of performance. Safeer, who has year after year continued doggedly in his effort, surmounting many an obstacle, points out that the festival is a dedication to the father of modern Sri Lankan theatre Ediriweera Sarachchandra, continuing his vision of supporting local theatre for younger generations. 

The main event will be held at the Elphinstone Theatre in Maradana with a festival in Chilaw’s Sudasuna Hall where a total of 26 plays will be staged in Colombo (25-31 August) and in Chilaw (2-4 September), hosting participants from a total of 14 countries including India, South Korea, China, and the United Arab Emirates.

“We have been contributing to theatre tourism and diplomacy for the past 11 years. Every year the participants from other countries travel across Sri Lanka and carry far and wide the images they see as they return to their home country and to other locales where they travel for performances,” explains Safeer, who is the perfect example of the power that one citizen can wield positively towards their country through their chosen art, carrying out a national duty that is usually considered amongst the tasks of political representatives of the nation. 

“Tourism and diplomacy are inter-related and I believe we cater to both through this festival,” emphasises Safeer. 

The CITF has been contributing each year to the national economy through the foreign currency it brings in, and especially where international performers, artists, and visiting audiences contribute as significant voices for promoting Sri Lanka internationally. 

Meanwhile, among the performances to be staged at the festival is the play directed by Safeer, titled ‘Swings of Love’. 

“All the stories that will be narrated at this festival are universal. They cut across cultural contexts and language barriers, nourishing the experiential learning of both the artists and performers alike,” explains Safeer. 

He also points out that the festival has received over 160 international entries and 75 domestic applications.

Another unique feature is that alongside the event held in Sri Lanka a parallel festival is held in Assam, for the second consecutive time, where four selected Sri Lankan theatre groups and their productions grace the stage in Assam.

Safeer explains that discussions are also afoot for the organising of an international festival that will continue consecutively for three months at a global location, marking a new epoch in Sri Lanka’s cultural influencing potential.

In a bid to promote the love of theatre among Sri Lankan youth the Colombo International Theatre Festival (CITF) will this year offer discounted ticket prices for school students. 

The parallel festival in Assam, India will be held from (3-7 September).

Below is the schedule of the festival in Sri Lanka; in Colombo and Chilaw. 

25 August

Grand opening and felicitation with ‘Draupadi’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Dr. Ravibandu Vidyapathi

26 August

‘Media Voice’ (Korea), directed by Son Jeung-woo

‘The Nightingale’ (China), directed by Sergey Grishin

‘A Journey of Despair’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Upeksha Lankathilaka

27 August

‘The American’ (Greece), directed by Thanassis Sarantos

‘Shh...’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Vidura Abeydeera  

‘Dummy’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Sarathchandra Walpola

28 August

‘Agleyum Cliyopatrayum’ (India), directed by Dr. Chandradasan

‘171 Pitakotuwa’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Banula Wijesinghe  

‘Unseen’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Asanka Ishan Dayapala  

29 August

‘Adrenaline’ (Canada/Syria), directed by Majdi Bou-Matar  

‘Inside’ (Armenia), directed by Naira Yedigaryan  

‘Comrade’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Jinidu Padma Sri Bandara  

‘It’s Not Me, Someone Else’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Randika Wimalasooriya

30 August

‘#NotMe’ (Romania), directed by Casandra Topologeanu 

‘Swings of Love’ (India, Sri Lanka), directed by M. Safeer

31 August

Closing night 

2 September

‘Vegetarian Ofelia’ (Spain), directed by Carlota Berzal

‘Salitha Sith’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Gamini Wijewardhana

‘Puzzle’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Fr. Peter Hemapriya Botheju

3 September

‘The Mamlok’ (UAE), directed by Ahmed Abdulla Rashed 

‘Arabi Kopi’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Sasini Madumali  

‘Childhood’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Vindya Ananda

‘Macario, starving’ (Spain/Mexico), directed by Ricardo Mena Rosado

4 September

‘Equation of Emotions’ (India), directed by Amogh Kushwaha  

‘Thus, Spoke Anger’ (Tunisia), directed by Badii Korbi  

‘The Loops’ (Sri Lanka), directed by Nishu Jayasooriya