‘Pandam’ lights up WeweYaya Vesak

The usually unlit walking track surrounding the 19-acre expanse of paddy fields, vegetable plots, and ponds glowed beneath rows of traditional coconut-oil torches that were arranged and lit

 Nearly 60 members and their families answered the club’s call for a special shramadana campaign to prepare the surroundings of the wewa

The highlight of the programme was the ice cream dansela, which served more than 3,000 Vesak sightseers and residents

The Panadura Urban Council assisted by cleaning the surrounding vicinity prior to the even

As the soft glow of Vesak lanterns illuminated the evening skies and the timeless message of compassion, peace and selflessness filled hearts across the island, the WeweYaya Community Club in Panadura transformed an ordinary neighbourhood celebration into a powerful expression of unity, heritage, and collective spirit.

Set against the tranquil backdrop of Panadura’s beloved old wewa, the Vesak programme became far more than a seasonal observance. It stood as a living reminder that even within a rapidly urbanising environment, communities can still preserve the values, traditions, and relationships that once defined village life in Sri Lanka.

Surrounded by the neighbourhoods of Etambagoda–Madakumbura, Udahamulla, and Gravets Road, the old wewa remains a rare “village within the city”, a green sanctuary amidst concrete and traffic. At its eastern edge stand the temple and dagaba.  The harmonious relationship between reservoir, stupa, village, and temple that has shaped communal life for generations.

Over the years, the WeweYaya Community Club has emerged as the custodian of this cherished space. What began as a small walking-path community promoting walking, wellness and environmental preservation has gradually evolved into a vibrant grassroots organisation dedicated to strengthening social bonds through volunteerism, health programmes, aerobics, environmental initiatives, and cultural activities.

That spirit of unity was witnessed most vividly in the days leading up to the Vesak celebrations.

Nearly 60 members and their families answered the club’s call for a special shramadana campaign to prepare the surroundings of the wewa for the festivities. Beginning promptly at 7.00 a.m. on Vesak day morning, volunteers from all walks of life members and non-members, gathered equipped with tools, all brought, maintained, and fuelled at their own expense.

No one waited for instructions, budgets, or outside assistance. Instead, the community embraced a simple but powerful idea: if a public space is loved, it must also be protected by the people who benefit from it.  The true significance of the effort lay not merely in the physical transformation, but in the spirit behind it. Business executives worked alongside academics, artisans, retirees, and students without distinction of class, creed, religion, or political belief.

A breathtaking tapestry of traditional light!

As Vesak evening descended upon the old wewa, the surroundings of WeweYaya were transformed into a breathtaking tapestry of light, devotion, and community spirit. What began as a modest neighbourhood initiative blossomed into one of the most memorable Vesak celebrations witnessed in the area in recent years, proving once again that when people unite with sincerity and purpose, extraordinary things can happen.

Families and visitors moved leisurely along the illuminated pathways while elders paused to admire the serenity of the wewa, its calm waters reflecting hundreds of flickering flames. The usually unlit walking track surrounding the 19-acre expanse of paddy fields, vegetable plots, and ponds glowed beneath rows of traditional coconut-oil torches (pandam), painstakingly arranged and lit.  

The dancing flames created an atmosphere both sacred and enchanting, beautifully capturing the timeless Sri Lankan ideals. Reflections shimmered gently across the water as the nearby dagaba glowed softly against the night sky, giving visitors the feeling of stepping into another era where village values, spirituality, and community life existed in perfect harmony.

The highlight of the programme was the ice cream dansela, which served more than 3,000 Vesak sightseers and residents throughout the evening. Families arrived in large numbers, children carrying colourful lanterns while elders admired the tranquil surroundings and carefully prepared decorations.

Remarkably, the entire programme was organised without a single hired worker. Every aspect, from planning and fundraising to decorating, serving, and post-event cleaning, was carried out voluntarily by club members and their families. Funds were raised internally within the club with little external sponsorship, while volunteers freely contributed both their time and physical labour to ensure the success of the celebration.

Although the Panadura Urban Council assisted by cleaning the surrounding vicinity prior to the event, the responsibility for preserving the space afterwards was once again embraced by the community itself. Long after the crowds had dispersed and the final torch had dimmed, committee members and their spouses quietly worked together late into the night restoring the premises, living out the club’s cherished motto: “Unity is Our Strength.”

In a touching finale to the evening, a committee member residing nearby hosted a generous string-hopper buffet dansela for more than fifty exhausted yet joyful volunteers, a simple meal among friends made unforgettable by the fellowship, gratitude, and quiet pride that filled the night air.

At a time when many communities struggle with division, indifference, and overdependence on institutions, WeweYaya offers a different story, one where ordinary residents rediscover the extraordinary power of working together. Beneath the glow of Vesak lights and the reflections upon the old wewa, the community demonstrated that heritage survives not merely through memory, but through collective care, shared responsibility, and unity in action.

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