Galle Face Hotel and Ebert Silva Holidays join hands to celebrate World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day was celebrated by the two pioneer partners in Sri Lanka’s hospitality and tourism industries, The Galle Face Hotel and Ebert Silva Holidays when they joined hands for the fourth consecutive year reminiscing Nelson Mandela’ profound words “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children”, in an effort to empower and inspire children. 

This year’s celebration took place on 7 October with 100 deserving children of which 50 children were from the Deaf School in Ratmalana and the rest from Madduma Bandara Vidyalaya, Kandy, who participated in a most memorable day filled with joy and excitement.

Society needs to play a pivotal role in nurturing, educating and ensuring a healthy environment for children who are the backbone of a nation. Providing assistance and support to needy children is society’s foremost responsibility which will encourage them to give their best to society in return. 

At this unique initiative to celebrate World Children’s Day with the theme “Empowering Children for the Nation’s future”, Ceylon Hotels Corporation Chairman Lakshman Samarasinghe represented Group Chairman Sanjeev Gardiner. Robert C. Hauck, General Manager and Area Vice President and Team drive this project and Head of Human Resources Venya Jayasekera on behalf of Galle Face Hotel said: “We are privileged to be a part of events such as these and we look forward to Children’s Day every year; it gives us the opportunity to inspire these children to do better and grow in life. It is also the unforgettable moments we make with them that makes occasions like these exceptional.”

Ebert Silva Holidays Chairperson Rajini de Silva Mendis representing her company at the event expressed her thoughts on this unique CSR initiative, “We are delighted to have come together once again to give these deserving children a most splendid, fun filled experience. This is a day we eagerly look forward to every year, a day celebrated with children who are the future pillars of the Nation. Great effort was taken to design the day’s celebrations as we wanted to give a lasting positive experience and exposure which will bring them confidence, inspiration and motivation enabling these children to dream big and set their goals high. We as responsible entities have joined hands to convey the love and care the society has for the children with the sincere wish of seeing them be responsible and worthy citizens of their motherland.”

The day commenced with the children arriving from Kandy by train to the Fort Railway Station which for most of them was the first time in the capital city of Colombo. They were welcomed on board the gaily decorated Ebert Silva Holidays open deck double deckers which took them to the Galle Face Hotel where they were joined by children from the Deaf School in Ratmalana. After enjoying a delectable morning treat they set off on a fun ride around the city on open double deckers with educational commentaries on the city’s history and monuments.

The city tour ended at the Port of Colombo where they were shown around the new developments of the Port and the Harbour, courtesy the Ports Authority. The Sri Lanka Navy extended them a rare opportunity by taking the children on board the Navy’s largest and latest naval vessel ‘Sindurala’ giving them an educative insight of its features and functions. 

The joyful kids then returned to the Galle Face Hotel for a scrumptious five-star luncheon. The highlight of the day was a dream come true for the children when they travelled along the expressway to the Bandaranaike International Airport to visit a Sri Lankan Airlines A330 airplane, courtesy of Sri Lankan Airlines Engineering. The thrilled and fascinated children were shown around the airplane and given a motivational talk on board with an insight into the history of aviation. 

This wonderful Children’s Day celebrations concluded with a delicious tea party at the Galle Face Hotel together with treats, gifts and music. The children danced their cares away to rejoice and celebrate one of the most memorable and remarkable day of their lives!