The 26-year armed conflict in Sri Lanka compelled numerous Tamil Eelams to seek refuge in foreign nations, notably in Canada. Among them is Rathika Sitsabaiesan, a former Canadian Member of Parliament, who fled the Sri Lankan civil war with her Tamil family during her childhood. The anguish and tales of the conflict drove Rathika’s advocacy. In 2013, her visit to Sri Lanka rekindled her own traumatic memories, as she was surveilled by the very government accountable for widespread suffering.

“Ray of Hope” delves into the intricate aftermath of trauma within a community that is now breaking its silence, aiming to attain justice for the multitude who have gone missing or perished. The documentary sheds light on how Rathika’s experience echoes the larger narrative of Tamil Eelam refugees, exploring the intricate interplay between personal and collective healing and the pursuit of accountability.