Save the Children UK’s Patron, Princess Anne, has met children being supported at a hospital in Colombo, as part of her three-day royal tour of Sri Lanka.
Accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne travelled to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children to observe an innovative program supported by Save the Children that helps young people from across the country, many of whom are suffering from chronic illnesses, express their feelings and build resilience through games and play.
Princess Anne lights an oil lamp – the same lamp she had lit on her previous visit nearly 30 years ago.
She spoke to a team of paediatric consultants and Save the Children’s child protection experts about the charity’s support for children at the hospital, which began in response to the double blow of the Covid-19 pandemic and a crippling economic crisis that tipped many families in Sri Lanka into destitution. As part of its crisis response, Save the Children prioritised and identified vulnerable children who needed support with their physical, social and emotional wellbeing and continues to prioritise this work today.
Princess Anne first became President for Save the Children UK in 1970, before transitioning to the role of Patron in 2017. She last visited the charity’s work in Sri Lanka in 1995.
As part of the charity’s commemorations marking 50 years of working in Sri Lanka, Her Royal Highness visited Save the Children’s national office in Colombo and took part in the tradition of lighting a ceremonial oil lamp symbolising hope and prosperity – the very same lamp she had lit on her previous visit nearly 30 years ago.
Save the Children Country Director Julian Chellappah said, “As Save the Children marks its 50th anniversary of operating in Sri Lanka, we couldn’t be more thrilled that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has chosen to return here to witness first-hand our life-changing work – and see something of the impact we’ve had over the past 50 years. Her presence is vital to raising awareness of the challenges faced by vulnerable children and their families here.”
During her visit to the charity’s national office in Sri Lanka, Princess Anne was presented with a gift box containing artwork from some of the many thousands of young people that Save the Children has supported through its programs addressing the impacts of poverty, violence, natural disasters and the climate crisis.
Princess Anne meets children at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital during a Social Emotional Learning program supported by Save the Children
Princess Anne meets nurses at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children accompanied by State Minister of Health Dr. Seetha Arambepola
