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"I like the Zoo best"
By Hiranthi Fernando
For kids from a remote village, their first visit to Colombo would indeed be a memorable experience. Earlier this month, about 80 children from Morawewa Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya were treated to a weekend in Colombo and accompanied by their teachers, enjoyed seeing the bright lights of the city

"This is the first time we did a long trip like this," said the Principal, Ms. D.M. Dissanayake Menike. "We have 101 children from year 1 to year 11 in the school and except for about 15 children from the Year 1 class, all the others are here." Many of the children from outlying eastern villages have been victims of war. Some have lost one or both parents. Most of them have been living in refugee camps, for as long as they can remember. They know of no other home. Mostly from low-income farmer families, this visit to Colombo was a great boon.

"I think this place is very beautiful," said ten-year-old Nilanka Sewvandi. "I like the Zoo best." Nilanka's father was shot one night when he went into the field to find firewood. Priyanthi Perera, a Year 10 student also has no father. Her mother supports Priyanthi, her brother and sister by farming. Priyanthi was happy to have had a chance to visit Colombo.

Udeni Adikari, 9, has been to Colombo once before, having come to Katunayake to see her mother off to the Middle East. Having lived at a refugee camp all her life, Udeni marvelled at the development she saw around her, so different to where she lived.

The visit to Colombo, was organized by 'We Care Sri Lanka', a voluntary organisation. "We felt the current cessation of hostilities provided us with an opportune moment to plan an outing for these children," said Mrs. Manel Anandan, vice president of 'We Care Sri Lanka'. "We organized the trip in the hope that we could bring some joy into their lives."

Founded in February 2000, 'We Care Sri Lanka' is a voluntary organization launched by a handful of persons from broad ethnic spectrum committed to providing a comprehensive response to the plight of underprivileged children in Sri Lanka. "We are primarily focussed on children affected by the armed conflict but we do respond to the needs of other children whenever it is brought to our notice," Mrs Anandan said. "Being committed to the belief that every child has equal rights we will not discriminate based on ethnicity or religion."

Though still in its infancy, We Care Sri Lanka has commenced a range of projects to help needy children and displaced persons in Vavuniya, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Matara districts.

Mrs. Anandan was grateful to several donors whose generosity made the project possible. The Commanding Officer of the Air Force camp at Morawewa helped to transport the children by bus to Colombo. During their stay they were provided accommodation at Dharmagaveshi Buddhist Centre. Several other sponsors helped by providing meals and entertainment for the children.

The Director of the Zoological Gardens had given the children and teachers free admission to the Zoo. A special elephant circus had also been arranged for them. The children were also taken to the Parliament that afternoon and Galle Face early the next morning.

Among the children in the group was Vasantha Lalith Kumara from Sinhapura Vidyalaya, who had been selected for admission to the Rajarata University. He is the eldest in the family, having three sisters and a brother. Vasantha's father was killed in terrorist action some years ago and his mother, with great difficulty, supports them by farming. 'We Care Sri Lanka' is trying to find a sponsor for Vasantha to help him start off his university education.

Touched by an angel
By Esther Williams
Listen to the Vienna Boys they would, even if it meant having to hear them from outside the church, decided elderly Yvonne Bartholomeusz and Gwenette De Zilva as they made their way to St. Theresa's Church on March 27. They had heard so much about them that they just had to seize, perhaps their only chance in a lifetime to see them.

As they made their way into the crowded church compound and stood by uncertainly, wondering if they would manage to get tickets, a stranger walked up to them and simply handed them two tickets. Just who was this person? This could not be happening to them in this day and age. It was almost as if they were 'touched by an angel.'

Overjoyed that they would be able to actually listen to those angelic voices, the ladies made their way into the church with grateful hearts. But they still do not know the identity of their benefactor though they remember him with much appreciation.
The Austrian Choir's recent visit to Sri Lanka has touched a chord in many hearts. Their performance at the Sugathadasa Stadium was specially organised for students and teachers at a nominal rate. Free entrance and transport were provided to around 100 children from the SOS Village and other children from an orphanage.

The concert at Hilton Hotel had a distinguished audience including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando and Sir Arthur C. Clarke.
The Vienna Boys also enjoyed a visit to the Pinnawela elephant orphanage and lunch at the Blue Water Hotel where the boys were allowed a dip in the Indian Ocean. Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels Hiran Cooray said that it was an excellent opportunity to build stronger ties between Sri Lanka and Austria which was a definite boost for Sri Lankan tourism.

The main force behind the tour, Mr. Paul Muller said that the Austrian Tourist Board, the Choir and the trustees were well pleased with the excellent organisation and the hospitality provided by Sri Lanka. "The choir members are not just ambassadors of music but are also ambassadors for Sri Lanka as they share their experiences in Sri Lanka with fellow Austrians," he said.

The beautiful handmade ceramic sculpture of the Vienna Boys, designed by Belluci and presented to the Choir will be standing at the Augartenpalais as a memento of their trip to sunny Sri Lanka.

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