|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 28 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
The ANCL Catholic Solidarity brought... Christmas joy to kids at Welikada Prison The ANCL Catholic Solidarity took the good tidings of Christmas to the children and expectant mothers in the Welikada Remand Prison on Sunday, December 14. This is the third year the Catholic Solidarity shared the glad tidings of Christmas with the inmates of the Remand Prison. Celebrating the birth of Jesus is a happy occasion for all children whether they are with or without parents, whether they live in society or live under different conditions, away from home. Welikada Remand Prison has a number of children whose mothers are either suspects or convicts serving their term. These children compelled to live within the prison walls should be the concern ofr society. What the ANCLCS did by visiting the Remand Prison for Christmas was to awaken the slumbering conscience of that society. Putting their worries away, the mothers joined in the singing of Christmas songs and the kids danced to the music and sang along with their moms. Some of the male prisoners were brought into the venue on the orders of the Commissioner General and they joined in the singing and dancing. It was the first time a group of male prisoners joined a function at the Women's section of the Prison. Mr.R.S.A.Rangala, President of the ANCLCS said that this was the third year the members visited the Prison. The ANCL Catholic solidarity took the Christmas message of Peace to the children and their mothers. The children are in remand prison through circumstances beyond their control and have to spend 'some part' of their life within these confines. We have to be mindful of them", he said. "We collected money by organising a raffle and also received generous support from many ` men of good will ' including businessmen like Sarath Dehiwatta, from Batagama and the Catholic Women's Group from Colombo to make our project a success", he added. On the request of Sarasaviya Editor Deepthi Fonseka, on behalf of the ANCLCS, well known artistes and vocalists including Angeline Gunatilaka, Saman de Silva, Gracian Ananda, Jagath Wickremesinghe, Ranjan Ramanayake, Gamini Pathirana and Anusha Sonali, accompanied the ANCLCS members and entertained the inmates. A group of children under the banner `Spring of the Sea' presented a violin recital and a group of girls from Wellapalliya Hendala, performed dance recitals manifesting their love and care for the inmates. Srimath Indrajith Liyanage of the Dinamina Editorial conducted the program which was covered by Swarnavahini. Rev.Fr.Indrajith Perera offered Holy Mass at the Bhavana Centre to commence the day's program. Commissioner General of Prisons, Rumy Marzook and Ms. Marzook, Chief Jailor Women section, Kumari Ratnaweera were present along with former ANCL Chairman Aloy Ratnayake PC, and ANCL Operation and Security Manager Tilak Senanayake. Secretary of the ANCL Buddhist Association, H.M.S.Bandara together with several others represented various departments of Lake House. Many officials attached to the Prisons helped in various ways to make the event a success, Mr. Rangala said. Ms. Kumari Ratnaweera, the Chief Jailor Women Section described the ANCLCS decision to bring Christmas joy to the inmates as a welcome move. " Your first visit has opened the eyes of many others. You took the first step and others followed ", she said . The inmates favourite visitor was Ranjan Ramanayake. All male and female prisoners were keen to touch him, embrace him and share a word with him. "I enjoy my coming to prison. I feel happy as my visit makes these people happy", Ramanayake said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
