Gara Raksha (ගරා යකා) Masks of Sri Lanka
It must be noted that the gara demon ritual to cure illness is a separate performance. The mask of the gara demon is described in verse as follows:-
On the head is gem studded ornament In the middle are three serpent hoods.The eyes are of a buffalo – the two lips Are red and two white teeth jut out Wearing three snakes on the head like a crown. Majestic in appearance. Like a pandol in appearance as well.The gara demon now comes quickly
Fearsome is this mask, it is green in colour, the lips are red in colour and the teeth are jutting out and down wards.
There are twelve gara demons.
| Keela gara | Sobon gara (cemetery) |
| Molon gara | Andun gara |
| Sandun gara | Patti gara |
| Okanda gara | Dala gara (tusker gara) |
| Pushpa gara (flower gara) | Desa gara |
| Vatayak gara (round gara) | Thota gara etc. |
The mask of the gara yaka used in various parts of the country bear similarities and even in the hill country, mask used can be seen to have similarities.
