January 12, Colombo (LNW): In a gesture of solidarity following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, inmates at ten prisons around the country have chosen to forgo their meals so that food could be redirected to families displaced by the disaster.
The Department of Prisons said the initiative was undertaken voluntarily by prisoners housed at facilities including New Magazine, Welikada, Bogambara, Matara, Mahara, Kuruwita, Jaffna, Monaragala, Angunakolapelessa and Batticaloa.
The meals saved through this effort are being channelled towards emergency relief for communities hardest hit by the cyclone.
Officials noted that the contribution represents a significant value in kind, reflecting a collective act of compassion from within the prison system. The estimated worth of the donated food varied from prison to prison, with Angunakolapelessa recording the highest contribution at more than Rs. 540,000. New Magazine and Welikada prisons followed closely, each contributing meals valued at over Rs. 450,000, while Bogambara and Mahara also made substantial donations.
Other institutions, including Jaffna, Kuruwita and Batticaloa, added further support, while Matara and Monaragala prisons contributed smaller but meaningful amounts.
