Sita Rajasuriya and Guiding in Sri Lanka

It is a strange coincidence that the year 1917 happens to be of special significance to Girl Guiding in Sri Lanka; for reasons more than one.

* It was in 1917 that Girl Guiding was introduced to Sri Lanka by Jenny Calvery a Missionary working at Girl High School, Kandy.

* It was in 1917, 2nd of September a child was born in Nuwara Eliya. Dr. Soloman Silva a medical practitioner and his wife Mary Abeyratne were blessed with a daughter whom they named SITA.

* It was in 1917 that a school for girls was established in Colombo. This school is what we know as Visakha Vidyalaya, a leading Buddhist School for girls. This is why I say that the year 1917 is of special significance to us members of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association, as these three are interlinked.

It is at Visakha Vidyalaya that Sita Silva was enrolled as a Girl Guide. Sita married a Police Officer, A. J. Rajasuriya, who was required to serve in various parts of the country. They were blessed with a daughter Lilamani and son Chandra. Whereever they were and whenever she could Mrs. Rajasuriya was in contact with Guide Leaders and Commissioners.

Back in Colombo, Mrs. Rajasuriya was sad to hear that Girl Guiding at Visakha Vidyalaya - 11th Colombo, was not functioning. It is at this stage in 1947 that she revived the company together with Lakshmi Nimalasuriya and Swarna Fernando.

Later Mrs. Rajasuriya was a Nursery School teacher at Museaus College, Colombo when she helped with the Guides of 23rd Colombo.

I was fortunate to be a student at Visakha Vidyalaya and was enrolled by my Guide Captain, Sita Rajasuriya, as a Girl Guide. She was very popular as a Guide Leader and actively participated in events organized both in Colombo and the National Level.

Lord Olave Baden Powell, World Chief Guide, visited Sri Lanka in the late 1950’s and it was she who identified Mrs. Rajasuriya as a person, who was capable of taking charge of Girl Guiding in our country. When on a flight over Sri Pada, Lady Baden Powell held Sita Rajasuriya’s hand and made her promise that she would accept this responsibility. Thus when Miss Edna Alwis, first Sri Lankan Chief Commissioner, completed her term of office, Mrs. Rajasuriya was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association.

Mrs. Rajasuriya was a personification of dedication and commitment, to serve the girls and young women of the country. She quietly but steadily led the way with the dignity and simplicity. She was humble but firm in the decisions taken.

Some of the highlights of her achievements were:

* Taking Girl Guiding into the rural areas in Sri Lanka. A Commissioner was appointed to work in this field - Mallika Perera who together with Iris Blacker and Ray Blaze did wonders.

* Introduced the Branch for the Handicapped, now known as Differently Abled. Started a Little Friends Pack at the Khan Memorial Ward.

* Introduced Guiding to the inmates of the House of Dtention, Gangodawila.

* Introduced Community Service into the Guide program. Mrs. Rajasuriya was a firm believer that girl guides must join hands and work together with other organizations, which were service orientated and with moral standards - values.

This resulted in our working with Abeysekera rural Development.... working in the Rodiya Community of Manawa and Kanatoluwa. Later with Dr. A. T. Ariyaratna, Jatika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya and Dr. Lakman de Silva the Saukyadana Movement.

The doors were now opened for Girl Guides to do Community Service. An auspicious start to where we are today.

Mrs. Rajasuriya and World Guiding:

* Was the first Sri Lankan to be elected to the World Committee of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)

* Was the first and only Asian to Chair a World Conference.

* Was the first Chairman of the Asia Pacific Region, WAGGGS.

* Was involved in the setting up of a World Centre in Asia, Sangam in Pune, India.

* The first Asia Pacific Training Pool was set up during her term of office.

There are some of the many achievements of Mrs. Sita Rajasuriya who led a successful and exemplary life - she left us at the age of 93 on 24 September 2009.

May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

Venetia Gamage President of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association