Page 126 - Hemas_Piyawara_Book

th
th
Mindika who handled ground operations faced huge challenges – civilian contractors Coincidentally, it was Sri Lanka’s 70 Independence Day and 2018 was the 70
could not be taken in and so the Hemas Group worked with the Civil Defence Force. anniversary of the Hemas Group.
Seeing and hearing everything that was going on within the prison walls, Mindika was To mark the significance of the Piyawara Singithi Diriya, cricketing veterans Roshan
at Welikada for many, many months. He scrupulously showed each and every food Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara had planted 2 trees while Yehali Sangakkara also
item, even a yoghurt or building material for strict inspection by the prison staff so graced the event. A 6-over game between prisoners had been a highlight.
that no one could point fingers maliciously that the company had smuggled anything
in. Each child was given a pack of dry rations, milk and Baby Cheramy products worth A golden-yellow lion smiled down from a wall at the Child Care Centre as did a green frog
Rs. 15,000 each month. and other animals. Brand new beds made of jak wood with lockers by each and a touch
of home with a ‘corner’ adorned by second-hand toys for the children to cuddle and
“We had to carry out our mission keeping the reputation of the Hemas Group intact board games for the slightly older ones, were all part of the package of love. Just outside
against any malicious and false allegations which surfaced from within the prison. was a play area with brightly-painted swings, a merry-go-round, a see-saw and a slide.
They were trying times,” says Mindika.
The artist who was heavily involved in making the Lama Surekum Ward a place of good
In appreciation of these gestures, the then Director of the Children’s Secretariat, memories as against a dingy jail was also a woman prisoner.
Nayana Senaratna, had stated that it was a “great” initiative, while the then Senior
Superintendent of Prisons, Chandana Ekanayake, had explained that it was a daunting For all the mothers and their children in prison, what the Hemas Group did would not
task to provide the right environment for these children at a location like a prison. only be tangible support but also give comfort that they were not outcasts forgotten
by society.
“We have received suggestions by well-meaning individuals and renowned companies
in the past about improving these conditions but nothing materialized until the Hemas Unfortunately, the project had hit a snag from within the prison itself due to security
Group came forward,” Chandana had said, conceding that they knew that providing issues and the Hemas Group has not been able to continue their visits. However,
proper nutrition and a conducive environment for these children during their early prison officials are informing the company that the good work remains.
years was critical for their development. Hemas had set an example by launching the
Piyawara Singithi Diriya.
For the Hemas Group, it was a cherished project. The monthly expenses to provide
nutrition to these children were borne by the employees themselves and a large
portion of the cost of around Rs. 3.5 million for the refurbishment of the ward was a
donation by the top management, with the balance being channelled from the Hemas
Outreach Foundation.
th
It was on February 4 , 2018, aptly Independence Day that the refurbished ‘Lama
Surekum Ward’ (Child Care Centre) was opened amidst distinguished guests who
had gathered to show their solidarity with the little ones. The guests had included the
Commissioner General of Prisons, H.M.N.C. Dhanasinghe, the Chief Executive Officer
of Hemas Holdings PLC, Steven Enderby, and officials from the Civil Defence Force
which had put its shoulder to the wheel to renovate the centre.
Mr. Kumar Sangakkara and Mr. Roshan Mahanama hand over the trophy to the Captain of the winning
team in the match between prisoners, while officials look on.

118 Hemas Piyawara - A Journey to the Future