May 11, Colombo (LNW): In a rare gesture of compassion aligned with the spirit of Vesak, Sri Lanka’s Department of Prisons has announced that inmates across the country will be permitted to receive open visits from family members on the 12th and 13th of May.
The initiative, described by officials as an effort to honour the values of kindness and reconciliation associated with the life and teachings of the Buddha, offers prisoners a temporary reconnection with loved ones during one of the most significant days in the Buddhist calendar.
The arrangement will apply uniformly to all correctional facilities island-wide and is intended to create an atmosphere of reflection, healing, and moral upliftment among those incarcerated. Relatives visiting during these two days will be allowed to bring with them specially prepared food parcels, packets of traditional sweets, and basic hygiene essentials to be handed over to the inmates.
The Prison Department has assured that adequate checks and supervision will be in place to maintain order, while still ensuring a warm and meaningful visitation experience.
This year’s Vesak commemoration, which marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, takes on added importance within the prison system, where religious observances are often seen as a pathway for spiritual rehabilitation and behavioural reform.
Senior officials noted that creating opportunities for inmates to engage with family members during sacred periods can play a vital role in reintegrating them into society and reducing reoffending rates.
The Department has further indicated that health and safety protocols will remain in place to ensure the well-being of both inmates and visitors. These include hand hygiene practices, limited physical contact, and scheduled time slots to manage the flow of visitors efficiently.
Over the years, Sri Lanka’s prison authorities have increasingly sought to integrate spiritual and rehabilitative elements into prison life, often in collaboration with religious leaders and civil society organisations.
Vesak, which is marked by almsgivings, lantern displays, and acts of merit-making across the country, is seen as a timely occasion for encouraging inmates to engage in introspection and self-improvement.
