It was more than just a dansela. It was a celebration of unity, devotion, and the unmistakable joy of giving. Organized for the second time by Haroshani’s father, our Poson Poya dansela became a moment etched in the hearts of everyone who took part — from the youngest to the oldest, from those who chopped onions to those who offered blessings.
🌙 It All Began the Night Before…
The preparations started quietly on the evening of June 9th. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ervin uncle was the first to arrive, rolling up his sleeves to clean the towering heap of onions. Soon after, Weerakon maama and nenda joined, bringing with them laughter, chatter, and an undeniable sense of rhythm to the night. One by one, others trickled in — Rajitha akka, Suresh uncle, Udaya uncle, Nalin ayya and his family — each adding their own spark to the growing flame of collective effort.
Later that night, Thushan ayya arrived like a superhero, carrying a machine that sliced onions like magic. Our eyes finally had a break! Even Thusith dropped by with his usual smile, joining the action. Inside the house, Suresh uncle and Udaya uncle took the lead in preparing the star of the show — the seeni sambol, a sweet and spicy onion relish that had to be just right.
We ordered 275 fresh loaves of bread from a nearby bakery called Kema, and they arrived sharp at 10:30 PM, warm and fragrant. The kitchen buzzed with energy. Nalin ayya, Thusith, Suresh uncle, and I began the bread-cutting mission. Haroshani wanted to help too, but little Keith refused to sleep without his mama, so she stayed by his side. Somewhere along the way, I managed to slice my finger — and was gently but firmly removed from further bread duties. 😅
We finally wrapped up all the slicing around 2:00 AM. Meanwhile, the seeni sambol was simmering to perfection, thanks to Haroshani’s parents and Udaya uncle, who barely took a moment’s rest.
🌅 The Morning Rush
At 5:00 AM, nenda and maama returned, eager to help. Now came the big task — stuffing each soft bread with the rich seeni sambol. As the sun rose, more neighbors arrived, smiles on their faces and hearts full of purpose. By 8:00 AM, everything was ready — the bread, the sambol, the people, and the prayers.
And then, something truly special happened.
Nalin ayya had invited the chief priest from the Marawila church to bless the dansela. With kindness and sincerity, the Father offered prayers, blessed the food and everyone involved. He was the first to be served. It was a moment of harmony, faith, and shared humanity.
🌟 A Queue Like Never Before
By 8:14 AM, a queue had formed — and it was long. A winding river of people, waiting patiently outside Haroshani’s house, drawn by the aroma and the spirit of Poson.
At the front, Suresh uncle served the bread with the discipline of a monk and the focus of a soldier — no one got a second round under his watchful eye! 😂 Keith was gleaming with excitement in his mother’s arms, waving at passersby. Nalin ayya played traffic controller, managing the crowd with grace.
In just 30 minutes, it was over. Every single loaf was gone. 92 kilograms of onions and 275 loaves of bread, shared with hundreds of smiling faces. The compliments poured in — “Tasty!” “So good!” “You guys should do this every year!”
We kept a few bread packs for ourselves — just enough to sit down after, huddled inside the house, and enjoy what we had created together.
❤️ A Day Etched in Memory
The bread was warm. The sambol was perfect. The feeling? Unmatched.
That day wasn’t just about serving food. It was about togetherness, about service, and about the little acts of love that ripple through a neighborhood and turn into something unforgettable.
We can’t wait to do it again next year.