According to the Buddha's doctrine that they believed in, it was not the caste that defined a person high or low. It was one's deeds that mattered.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

A new movement reinforced by activists such as Buddhist monks, physicians who practiced traditional medicine, teachers, farmers, and laborers brought Prime Minister Bandaranaike into the political helm. The leaders of the Davulawatta community considered this election a personal achievement. They saw this as a people's government and appreciated its genuine interest in fulfilling the needs of the common people. They trusted that the present government would eradicate poverty and the caste discrimination, and work to promote self-esteem.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

Carolina protected her so that Sunset should remain a virgin until her wedding night. The worth of such purity in character was immeasurable in this society and culture. Therefore, she never even allowed Sunset to go with other village girls when they went to the desolate cinnamon gardens to gather firewood.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

Even though we are supposed to be low caste and poor our vote also has the same value and validity as that of great people.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

Families could often trace their lineage back several centuries. Their livelihood was earned from drum playing, a service considered to be dis-respectable. As members of a low caste, the drummers were forbidden to build decent houses. There were allowed to build wattle and daub huts, and to live rent-free on their patrons' properties. The right to own the country's land was restricted in this manner, a vicious condition that arose through tradition and was reinforced by law. Patterns of financial power and political hierarchy existed hand in hand.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

Generally, that humble piece of furniture placed on the front veranda of the house officially belonged to the man of the household; the women never slept on it.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

Her heart filled with boundless love that surged anew for her father. She felt like rushing to him and planting a quick kiss on his cheek the way she used to when she was a small girl. However, these villagers are not in the habit of kissing their offspring after they grow up. They show their love and affection by stroking their heads, addressing them in endearing words and blessing them.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

If their horoscopes are not compatible, this marriage is out of the question.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

If the woman has the physical fitness and the meritorious luck to bear his children, the family was a fortunate one. Villagers always looked at sterility with a squinted eye, and its fault and the misfortune lay solely on the woman's part. As such, a childless woman often became culprit for her entire life.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse

In a front of each home garden the villagers fixed a triangular wooden lamp-house on the top of a pole planted on the ground to hold a small statue of Lord Buddha and some deities. They used to offer flowers at this small shrine and light a tiny clay oil lamp.

— Swarnakanthi Rajapakse