Roiling water, crumpled homes, a wave-tossed train and people crying for help were among the themes set in paint or chalk by the 800 children.

The works are on display for three days at the National Art Gallery.

``The children were asked to do paintings on any favorite topic. But most of them drew what they saw and experienced,'' said Priyanthi Mangalika, Culture Ministry official in charge of the exhibition.

Most of the children, ages 5-15, were among the 800,000 people who found shelter in relief centers after losing their homes to the tsunami.

Some of the pictures showed rescue helicopters or mothers fleeing with their children. But there also were drawings of flowers, animals and a sun rising over a hillside.

``This is pure illustration of their experience. Such is a child's mind,'' said retired teacher M. Samarakoon, who came to see the exhibition.

Forty percent of 31,000 Sri Lankans killed in the tsunami were children, and UNICEF estimated that nearly 1,000 children were orphaned. Published: Sun Jan 16 11:23:37 EST 2005