Jaffna students in Kandy

A group of students from Jaffna schools had a novel experience of seeing beauty of the upcountry when the Security Forces in Jaffna took them to World Heritage City of Kandy on a three-day visit recently. Thirty five students who performed well in their studies at the Kulaimangal Roman Catholic College-Mallakam, Murugarthi College-Uduvil and Memorial College-Manipay joined the excursion which offered them a good exposure which they never experienced before.

The students got the opportunity of seeing the splendour of the famous Kandy Dalada Perahera with a distinguished audience at historical Maha Maluwa of the Ancient Royal Palace. The Sacred Temple of the Tooth, Kandy museum, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Victoria Dam and the power house were among other places they visited that fascinated the young crowd.

The Army also arranged a journey by train from Kandy to Matale during which the visitors from the North received a warm welcome at stations on their way. Students had their lunch with soldiers of the 8th Gajaba Regiment at Matale. The boys were overjoyed to be spectators of the one day cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Dambulla International Stadium on their way back to Jaffna. Major General (Retd) Lawrence Fernando provided free seats for them.