A memorable weekend in Colombo
For 22 children from the Badulla Girls’ Home the last weekend in July was a rare treat for they made a visit to the capital, taking in many attractions such as Galle Face, the Museum and the Air Force Museum in Ratmalana.
The visit arranged in conjunction with Rev Lalitha Guneratne, Minister in charge of the Girls’ Home saw the girls arriving on Friday, getting their first taste of Galle Face Green, climbing up the steps to the Chaitiya to get a ‘bird’s eye’ view of Colombo and then walking to the seashore to enjoy the crashing of the waves and of course, pony rides.
Saturday, July 28 was their big day – a long-planned visit to the Planetarium as one girl dreams of becoming an astronaut. After explanations that this group was travelling from Badulla the organisers were allowed to make a prior booking. They arrived well ahead of time only to find a power cut had resulted in the show being cancelled, much to the girls’ disappointment. The Management had no arrangements for a back-up generator.
The children went to the Colombo Museum instead and took in the sights. The Museum not being handicap friendly proved a drawback though for some.
In the afternoon it was off to the Air Force Museum at Ratmalana where a programme had been planned for the children. The Officers spent over two hours showing and explaining the displays such as President Premadasa’s bullet proof vehicle, former Air Force uniforms, old cutlery and crockery used by the Air Force, drones, downed remains of LTTE aircraft etc.
One teenage participant was in plaster, but the kind officers found a wheelchair for her. They even carried her to the plane, where the children enjoyed a simulated flight. They were served light refreshments.
Saturday was finished off with fun at the KFC.
After service on Sunday morning the children were hosted by the Mount Lavinia Hotel to a tour of the hotel and a grand buffet lunch. The children enjoyed the hidden tunnel, the Lavinia room, the mini Museum and the grand buffet spread, not forgetting the live band.
Rev Rajive Palihawadena and the whole congregation of the Methodist Church Mount Lavinia had walked the extra mile to make this weekend a memorable one for the children of the Girls’ Home Badulla.
The girls at Mount Lavinia Hotel (above) and (right) enjoying the Air Force museum in Ratmalana