It was a unique opportunity for 100 children between 10 – 16 years, from the Kadiragama School in Menik Farm, Settikulam, when they travelled to Colombo to spend a few days. This visit was an initiative of the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry. They were accommodated at Ananda College and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, while the Hilton Colombo provided meals.

On their arrival in Colombo on May 17th, the Hilton Colombo hosted them to dinner at the hotel and organized a programme which brought joy and cheer to their hearts after the trauma they had suffered. The General Manager of the Hilton Colombo, Mr. Jerome Auvity and Deputy Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry Hon. Lionel Premasiri attended the dinner, which included a welcome dance item and magic show.

As a part of the initiative, the children were encouraged to express their thoughts in paintings, which were displayed in an exhibition at the National Art Gallery. Photographic copies of the paintings are now
displayed on the Giant Pyramid at the main lobby of the Hilton Colombo, and are for sale. The proceeds from the sale are to be equally divided among the children and deposited in bank accounts opened for them by People's Bank.

Speaking at the dinner, General Manager Hilton Colombo urged the public to support this worthy cause by purchasing the paintings. "Every child has his/her own story about the war and these paintings will tell you these stories. They have all been victims of the three decade long war which has finally ended," he said.

The children who travelled from the war zones in the north of Sri Lanka, made several new friends in Colombo and had many enjoyable and enriching experiences. These children and numerous others in the north live in hope of a prosperous and peaceful life in their motherland Sri Lanka.