I had the privilege and honour of visiting a multi-cultural event organised by the Child Rehabilitation Centre (CRC), Ampara in February 2007, along with Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Dr. Kim Howells. We saw the Tamil Hindu students performing their traditional Bharatha Natyam dance. There were many Muslim children who actively participated in the competitions. The fire dance performed by a group of Sinhalese students from a far away village in Ampara provided an opportunity not only for us but also for the many Tamil and Muslim residents of that area to understand the cultural values of the other community.
      The valuable work done by the CRC in bringing children from different communities together to participate in competitions and events with the objective of promoting ideas for peaceful cohabitation deserves our appreciation and praise. I was impressed by the way kids from different communities had expressed their thoughts for peace through paintings, which were kept in an exhibition that we visited. Amidst tension and conflict in the war affected and tsunami devastated Ampara district, the work of organisations like the CRC gives everyone a chance to celebrate diversity and reinstate the hope that peace is not at all illusive at the grassroots level, provided the aspirations of these people are equally reflected by their respective leaders. I wish the Child Rehabilitation Centre all success in their future endeavours.

Dominick Chilcott
British High Commissioner
Sri Lanka.