As the use of video proliferates in Sri Lanka, the demand for factual programming on video is also increasing. The SLETP’s Science and Environmental Video Library contain the largest collection of VHS tapes in the country on environment and development issues. They have been received from all over the world.

It stores close to 700 video films – many of them received from TVE Asia Pacific, and others from a variety of local and foreign sources. New titles are added to the library on a regular basis.

The collection has video films on a wide range of themes, topics and issues, including:

• ‘green’ issues: wildlife, nature, biodiversity, oceans and water resources;
• ‘brown’ issues: industry, urbanisation, transport, energy, waste management, and pollution;
• social issues: population, child labour, indigenous people’s struggles, and rural development
• rights related themes: children’s rights, women’s rights and land rights;
• global environmental issues: ozone depletion, global warming and international debt;
• health: HIV/AIDS, nutrition, health effects of pollution and pesticides
• science: superconductivity, nuclear energy, information technology and
• governance: corruption, media freedom and democracy
• sustainable technologies: proven solutions to practical problems in the developing world

Some titles are straight-forward natural history programmes, but most look at the complex relationships and interactions between human beings and the natural environment.

The collection has documentaries, animations (cartoons), dramas and feature films on environmental themes, discussion programmes, as well as public service announcements (PSAs or ‘spots’).

Majority of the video films are in English, but the number of Sinhala and Tamil programmes keeps increasing every year. Currently, the library holds over 70 Sinhala titles and half a dozen titles in Tamil.

How to use the Video Library

How to become a Library Member