Press
The Film
The short film explores life in 2048 in a developed Sri Lanka, now a major player in the Asia Pacific Region. The film takes place over an 18-hour period during a global climate crisis.
The Book
A Speech to Sri Lanka from 2048 is a short novel about an awards speech delivered in the year of 2048, outlining the three laws that helped Sri Lanka cross the US$40,000 per capita GPD mark, bringing the country to prosperity. It details the key strategies in education, leadership, energy, environment, jobs, and civil society, which lead to this future.
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About the Film
‘2048’ Film Premiere: Sri Lanka is South Asian Regional Leader During Climate Crisis in a New Sci-Fi Drama
Alt Headline: ‘2048’ Film Premiere: An Ambitious Solution to Climate Change From the Southern Hemisphere
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Colombo, Sri Lanka – March 5, 2025 – The riveting short film, 2048 by Asanka de Mel, directed by Jason Rajasinghe (IFilm Sri Lanka), is an action-packed sci-fi drama depicting the future, rich Sri Lanka, known as ‘The Indian Ocean Miracle’. The developed Sri Lanka in 2048 has become a major player in the South Asian Region when it finds itself on a collision course with climate change. The premiere is taking place at Scope Cinemas Multiplex, Havelock City Mall in Colombo on March 5.
When violent thunderstorms thrash the Indian Ocean region, triggering hundreds of thousands in neighbouring countries to flee their homes, an elite team headed by climate scientist Melanie de Silva is called to action. As tensions mount between governments, protesters and various agency leaders, Melanie must find her power, and race against time to save lives.
Through immersive storytelling and striking cinematography, 2048 challenges viewers to reflect on the global crises facing Sri Lanka over the next decades, and how developing the nation is not only possible, but necessary, in the face of mounting climate change.
“I created 2048 to show Sri Lankans our future and how we can become a developed nation, not only to withstand the inevitable challenges ahead, but to become a global leader in the process,” says de Mel. “It’s time to get started. Our children’s future depends on it.”
With inspiring performances by Tracy Jayasinghe, Indira Jonklaas, Rohan Ponniah, Brandon Ingram, Biman Wimalaratne, Chandran Rutnam and more, the film is an SOS to Sri Lanka and the world about what the South Asian region will face by 2048.
The film is based on A Speech to Sri Lanka from 2048 by Asanka de Mel, a book outlining how Sri Lanka transforms into an economic powerhouse and a leader in the Asia Pacific Region by 2048, with per capita GDP of US$40,000. The book is available in print and ebook on Amazon worldwide, and locally through Srilanka2048.org.
Together, the book and film create a powerful dialogue about Sri Lanka's future, meant to incite a collective action toward the nation’s development over the next 25 years.
This project urges you to take action by hosting a film screening, giving a book talk at your school, company or institution, helping to create educational and vocational training scholarships, and more. Join the fellowship at srilanka2048.org.
For media inquiries, interview requests, or screening details, please contact srilanka2048.org.
About Asanka de Mel
Asanka de Mel is passionate about developing Sri Lanka and is committed to building the fashion company he founded, LOVI, into an international brand. Before starting LOVI, Asanka spent over 20 years in the US technology industry in Silicon Valley and New York City. He holds a degree in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with his wife and two sons.
About the Book
Can Sri Lanka Be 10 Times Richer by 2048? This New Book Says Yes
Alt headline: How to Get Sri Lanka 10 Times Richer By 2048: Book Launch
Alt headline: Sri Lanka’s US$40,000 Per Capita Future—A New Book Shows the Way
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 20, 2025 – A Speech to Sri Lanka From 2048 is a groundbreaking short fictional novel by Asanka de Mel mapping a strategy to develop the nation by 2048. The book is available in print and ebook on Amazon worldwide, and locally through Srilanka2048.org.
The book presents a prosperous, future Sri Lanka, known as “The Indian Ocean Miracle,” a nation ten times richer than today with a per capita GDP of US$40,000. In three core principles, the book outlines how the country is transformed into an economic powerhouse and a leader in the Asia Pacific Region over the next 25 years.
“A powerful wake-up call to all Sri Lankans. Charged with deep emotion, profound historical insights, and an urgent call to action, this book is impossible to ignore… A must-read for anyone who believes in Sri Lanka’s potential to transform and thrive,” writes Angeline Ondaatjie in her praise for the book.
It’s a quick read, packed with billion-dollar business opportunities and pragmatic ideas on education, energy, environment, civil society, regional leadership, job market and the economy. Not only is this a strategy for the country’s development, it is also a realistic slice of tomorrow, where de Mel’s sense of belonging to Sri Lanka will echo through to readers, infusing them with the belief that a prosperous Sri Lanka is obtainable. Far from blaming politicians or marinating in negativity, A Speech to Sri Lanka From 2048 is a hopeful book, a can-do plan for people like you and me to take action toward shaping the nation’s future.
Based on the book, a short film, 2048, by Asanka de Mel, directed by Jason Rajasinghe (IFilm Sri Lanka), is set to premiere at Scope Cinemas Multiplex at Havelock City Mall, Colombo, on March 5, 2025. This short film explores life in 2048 in a developed Sri Lanka that has become a major player in the Asia Pacific Region. The action-packed film takes place over an 18-hour period during a global climate crisis with stellar performances by Tracy Jayasinghe, Indira Jonklaas, Rohan Ponniah, Brandon Ingram, Biman Wimalaratne, and Chandran Rutnam.
This project urges you to take action by hosting a film screening, giving a book talk at your school, company or institution, helping to create educational and vocational training scholarships, and more. Join the fellowship at srilanka2048.org.
About Asanka de Mel
Asanka de Mel is passionate about developing Sri Lanka and is committed to building the fashion company he founded, LOVI, into an international brand. Before starting LOVI, Asanka spent over 20 years in the US technology industry in Silicon Valley and New York City. He holds a degree in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with his wife and two sons.