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It was a particularly warm and sunny day in Thailand when eight children from the district of Watana set off on an adventure to see an island in the sun. The story of how these children boarded their dream flight is intriguing. Hailing from one of the poorer districts in Thailand these were children for whom the magic of boarding a plane to visit an exotic distant land would have remained a dream if SriLankan Airlines had not decided to grant them a wish. These eleven and twelve year olds were stars in their own right, being the best in dance, culture or academia in their schools and were ideally suited to their role as young cultural ambassadors - a part of the SriLankan Airlines project to exchange culture between Thailand and Sri Lanka as a part of their 25th anniversary celebration.
The starry eyed children arrived in Negombo late one evening and were treated to the luxury of the Blue Oceanic hotel. Next on the agenda was the historic city of Dambulla , just awakening to the beguiling stares of its visitors. The languid air of this sleepy city was a sharp contrast from the blue seas and busy fishing village of Negombo , but for the children the excitement of exploring the Dambulla cave lay ahead.
Every child dreams of exploring a cave and there was no exception among the visitors. Even Mrs Wilawan Tosumran and Miss Ariwan Chankhot, who were accompanying the children on their happy adventures, rose to the occasion. After experiencing the majestic grandeur of the Culture Club Hotel the visitors were off to Kandy . Here they visited the Kandy Temple sensing the serenity in the air, akin to the ancient temples in their own land. They walked respectfully in to the temple and it was easy to be transported to the soulfulness of Thailand as the little ambassadors gracefully filed past, images of the Siamese dynasties and the age old culture embracing Thailand would easily have flitted across the minds of onlookers. The Dalada Maligawa or the temple where the sacred tooth relic of the Budhha is enshrined with its power to make rain and ensure the prosperity of farmers was a fitting venue for the children to take stock.
From there, it was on to the botanical gardens of Peradeniya with its exotic flowers and endless gardens and slopes. The tour of Kandy thus ended on a high note before the journey to Colombo was embarked on. In a walk around the city of Colombo the children were hurried through the bustle of commercial areas before being given a tour of the BMICH. The Kelaniya Temple and Awukana Temple were also visited.
On the final day of their six day visit the children visited Royal College and then Holy Family Convent where they made new friends and shared experiences. Here they performed a traditional dance, the century old civilization of Thailand reflecting in this impressionable art form as the melodious strains of music gave wing to their elegant dainty movements.
The last port was Pizza Hut where the children gave way to their excitement, heading for the mat slide and bowing in thanks for everything. For SriLankan Airlines this was more than a mission, it was a cause. “This was a memorable 25th anniversary celebration, sharing the cultures of the two countries and strengthening ties with children, the future of both our countries,” Rohan Seneviratne, Manager Thailand said.
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