Page 79 - Hemas_Piyawara_Book

For the Alokapura Preschool, there was honour when in 2012, Samith Ushantha, Ishen
Akalanka and Sameesh Madunuwan who took part in the Asia Pacific Paralympics
in Australia brought glory to Sri Lanka with their medals. Whenever winners at
international events return to the country they are feted at the Bandaranaike
International Airport, Katunayake. However, there had been no such red-carpet
welcome for these children. It was the Hemas Group staff which met them with
bouquets and garlands and escorted them back to their humble homes in Hambantota.
A highlight of these children’s lives had been when they performed at the gala opening
of the 22 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on November
nd
th
15 , 2013, at Nelum Pokuna in Colombo. The celebrities who graced the occasion
had included the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles (now King Charles III) representing
Queen Elizabeth II who was the Head of the Commonwealth; the Commonwealth
Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma; Heads of State and other dignitaries from the
Commonwealth’s 53 member countries.

It was only the second time in almost a quarter century that CHOGM was being held
in Asia. The one before had been in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, back in 1989.

The laughter and fun of dancing (above) and an activity (below).

Samith, Sameesh and Ishen with their medals.

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