Behind Iron Bars, Vesak Colours Glow

By Isuri Yasasmin Kaviratne

As the country prepares to celebrate a rather subdued and rain dampened Vesak a largely forgotten segment of our population are making preparations for the celebration.

Dan Sel

In prisons and correction facilities throughout Sri Lanka official Vesak festivities began earlier this week. Inmates have made Vesak lanterns, organized ‘Dan Sel’, drama festivals and prepared to sing ‘Bhakthi Geetha.’ At Colombo’s main prison at Welikada an entire festival and program of events - the Vesak Kalapaya has replaced the traditional Pandol that otherwise decorated the Prison during this season.

Thushara Upuldeniya, Commissioner of Prisons (Operations, Intelligence and Security) said that the Vesak celebrations are having positive impact on the prisoners, spiritually and has become a step towards reforming.

Headquarters Superintendent E. R. Lamahewage said that the Baseline Road is decorated by the inmates, with around 300 lanterns they made themselves and Buddhist flags, and the “Dan Sel’ will provide a variety of rice, ‘kadala’, ice cream and other accompaniments during the period of Vesak celebrations– the 21st- 22nd May.

Facilities

All 31 of the islands Correction Facilities, including Training Schools for Officers, are displaying Vesak lanterns built in their respective Centres, in addition to the Vesak Kalapaya in Welikada.

Superintendent of Prisons Chandana Ekanayake said that in addition to the VesakKalapaya, Welikada Prison is conducting an inter-ward lantern competition, the winning ward would get gifts, toothpaste or soap.

In the Vesak season’s spirit of charity prison authorities have decided to allow visitors to bring food for the convicted prisoners in Welikada, this is not normally allowed. The prisoners on their part have agreed to ‘donate’ themoney that would normally be spent on their meals to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital to help buy the facility a much needed PET scanning machine.

Spiritual

The prisoners go through a spiritual journey during this period. And over the years, we have seen the long term impacts of it.

“Our main concern is to make the inmates understand their mistakes and become better citizens. We are using this opportunity to send that message across strongly. Inmates who observe sil on poya days are more tilted towards religion and have already taken that first step,” Ekanayake said.