Colombo City Tour celebrates second anniversary with war heroes’ kids

The Colombo City Tour, Sri Lanka’s first-ever open deck sightseeing tour which is a venture of Sri Lanka Tourism and Ebert Silva Holidays, celebrated its second anniversary on 28 January 2012.

To mark this event, the Colombo City Tour team carried out a special CSR project for 100 children of the deceased and disabled war heroes of the Gamunu Watch Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army.

Major General Susil Udumalagala, Director General MGO Branch Army Headquarters and Chintha Udumalagala, President of the Seva Vanitha Unit Gamunu Watch were the Guests of Honour.

Officers and members of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Gamunu Watch Regiment, Officials of Sri Lanka Tourism, and Officials representing Sri Lanka Transport Board, the travel and hospitality industry and media personnel were among those who participated in the inaugural ceremony.

A two minutes silence was observed on behalf of the war heroes who laid down their lives to bring freedom to our motherland. There were special tokens of appreciation presented to Sri Lanka Transport Board and the Galle Face Hotel for the support extended towards the Colombo City Tour.

The children who arrived in Colombo from areas such as Padaviya, Ratnapura and Kuruwita enjoyed breakfast courtesy of the prestigious Galle Face Hotel, which has been an integral part of the Colombo City Tour since its inception.

Thereafter they were taken on a comprehensive sightseeing tour around Colombo on two open deck double deck coaches. For most of them it was the first time in the city of Colombo. The rides were enjoyed by the children immensely together with the educative commentaries.

They visited the Gangarama Seema Malakaya, the Independence Square and the National Museum where they spent an hour-and-a-half viewing the objects of historical value gaining knowledge and an insight to the history of Colombo and Sri Lanka.

Lunch was organised at the Viharamahadevi Park with the music of a calypso band and other entertainment features. After a joyous ride which was both educative and fun, the group arrived back at the Galle Face Hotel to be treated with snacks.

Souvenirs of the Colombo City Tour’s second anniversary were presented, which will undoubtedly be tokens of fond remembrance of their unique and memorable experience in Colombo.

The Colombo City Tour extended its special thanks to the personnel of the Sri Lankan Army Gamunu Regiment, Seva Vanitha Unit of the Defence Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Sri Lanka Transport Board, the Galle Face Hotel and Elephant House for making this unique event a success.