Volume : 6

Issue : 82
E Mail : nandmana@sltnet.lk
www.humanrightsofficekandy.org

2015 Women’s Day in Kandy

at Bogambara - Dumbara Prison
The International Women's Day 2015 was celebrated by the Human Rights Office in
Kandy in collaboration with the Prison Welfare Union at the Bogambara- Dumbara prison
on the 08th March 2015 with 110 female remand and sentenced prisoners.

It was a very
meaningful
celebration with
an exhibition &
sale of the
creative items
made by the
female prisoners.

The day’s events included inputs by Psychiatric Dr. Damith Hettiarachchi, Mrs. Surangika
Ranaweera a lawyer of the HRO and by the director Fr. Nandana Manatunga who made
a visual presentation and elaborated on the theme “Empowering Women –Empowering
Humanity” followed by dances and a drama by the female prisoners.
Refreshments prepared by the HRO were served to all present
and the gifts to the prisoners as a sign of love and sharing.

The former Mahamaya Girls College

principal Mrs. Wijesinghe an official monitor to the prison,
appreciated the painstaking work of the officials, in caring
the detainees and requested them to consider it, not as a
duty but rather as a commitment.

The drama staged by the inmates was the highlight of the

day as they dramatized the reasons for their imprisonment.
While accepting the reality, they visualized their regrets and
repentance and hope for a better future once they are released.
The prison welfare officer Superintendent Mr. A.M.W. Bandara made
the vote of thanks elaborating his experience and thanked Mrs.
Wijesinghe for her sentiments of appreciation extended to the prison
officials which he said would further encourage them. He thanked the
HRO director & the staff for organizing 2015 International Women’s
Day in Prison recognizing the importance of the female detainees. The
exhibition & the sale of the creative items made by the Prisoners were
declared open by Fr. Nandana & Mrs. Wijesinghe and items were sold by the prisoners.

With the Women’s day being celebrated at the Prison, the female detainees were
recognized, accepted and dignified. At this occasion the HRO made few more avenues
and scheduled future activities and thus openings to monitor the prison conditions and
identify the detainees who need legal & other assistance.