Desa Live @8: The Present and Future of Working People

Date: 16 August 2018
Location: Welipillewa, Kaduwela, Sri Lanka
Programme: Desa Live @8
Discussion Topic: The Present and Future of Working People
Guests: Mr. Bandula Saman Kumara and Mr. Nadeera Manoj Kumara
Platform: Facebook Live - Desa Hambantota
Hosted by: Isura Wickramarachchi
Broadcast Time: 8:00 PM

On 16 August 2018, I organized and hosted an episode of "Desa Live @8" in Welipillewa, Kaduwela, under the theme "The Present and Future of Working People."

The programme featured two trade union representatives involved in Sri Lanka's petroleum and railway sectors.

Mr. Bandula Saman Kumara was serving as President of the Petroleum Branch of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya and Convener of the National Resources Protection Centre.

Mr. Nadeera Manoj Kumara was serving as General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Railway Employees' Union and Secretary of the Progressive Public Employees' Federation.

The discussion was intended to address issues affecting working people, including employee rights, the role of trade unions, workplace concerns, and the future of public sector employees.

An important feature of the programme was its emphasis on audience participation. Viewers were invited to submit questions through comments on the Facebook announcement before 7:00 PM, ahead of the scheduled live broadcast at 8:00 PM.

Through the "Desa" live discussion series, I aimed to explore how social media could support public conversations about economic, political, and social issues, including matters directly affecting employees and their families.

This episode forms part of my experience in digital media, live discussion hosting, and creating opportunities for public engagement on contemporary issues in Sri Lanka.