Diyatalawa Camp

The prisoners-of-war, with the exception of the officers, were housed in the long well ventilated huts which are a feature of Diyatalawa to this day. Each of these zinc, barrackroom-like structures held 56 camp beds which are ranged on either side allowing for a corridor down the middle. The central space was furnished with mess-tables and benches. At each table sat 8 men, thus providing 7 messes to each hut.

There was hardly any other furniture, except these bare necessities and a locker with which each captive was provided. All trace of bareness was, however, effectively removed by an odd collection of bags, clothing and miscellaneous personal purchases of the inmates which were strung on the lower structures of the steel framework supporting the roof. In this orderly disorderliness one might have picked out sticks of sugar-cane, bunches of plantains and pineapples, even grasses and strange curious which had appealed to individual tastes.

Source: Boere Krygsgevangenes in Ceylon