Comedians Blok and Dino have defended a video found offensive by the Veddah community, saying there was no malice or disrespect intended.
Vedda chief Uruwarige Wannila Aththo had filed a complaint at the Criminal Investigations Department against the video.
Issuing a statement, Blok and Dino said that they saw recent reports suggesting that one of their videos mocks or insults Sri Lanka’s Indigenous Veddah community.
The statement reads:
“The video in question clearly depicts an impersonator-a man who has abandoned city life to follow what he believes is a Veddah-inspired lifestyle as stated explicitly in the introduction. Nowhere in the video is he referred to or portrayed as an actual member of Sri Lanka’s Indigenous Veddah community. His language, tools, and mannerisms are intentionally exaggerated because he isn’t a Veddah-and that is the premise of the video.
The video is depicted as being filmed in Dambulla, an area with no Veddah settlements, and we took particular care to ensure that no community was being represented or depicted inaccurately.
No malice was intended, and certainly no disrespect.
These facts were clearly communicated to someone who identified himself as representing the Indigenous Veddah community and reached out to us directly. Everything we’ve heard since has been through news reports on mainstream media.
To the mainstream media and individuals who posted and reacted negatively online-while we respectfully acknowledge the range of opinions on what should or should not have been done, we would have appreciated you reaching out to us. We believe it’s only fair that our perspective be heard as well. A direct conversation would have helped foster that understanding.
All this boils down to a simple question: how does one imitate anything—or anyone-without portraying aspects of being imitated, and why must imitation automatically be seen as mockery? Comedy – like all art – is subjective. So is the way we interpret it, and the choice to take offense.
To everyone who called, messaged, checked in, offered support and stood by us – thank you. Thank you for being progressive. Thank you for appreciating comedy and satire. At the end of the day, the ability to laugh at oneself is a hallmark of a developed society – one that can self-critique, celebrate its ironies, and embrace the lighter side of the human condition.”
