Scouts rendered yeomen service - President

Raja Waidyasekera

Tissamaharama Special Corr

The Scout Movement has gained wide popularity around the globe for the services it renders during natural disasters, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes etc, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Rajapaksa was addressing the eighth National Jamboree at the International playground at Angunakolapelessa.

The President said during the past Century the Scout Movement in Sri Lanka rendered yeomen service during times of disaster and calamities.

The President said that scouts are an asset to a country and its citizens when considering the valuable service they render towards society. “A scout is a trustworthy person upon whom great confidence is being kept by society.”

“The Scout Movement which started with only 20 members but it has now exceeded 49,000 members.

It is now similar to a tree that spread its branches in different directions.”

“Children are an asset to a nation. They will become good citizens only if they are brought up in a good environment,” the President said.

“Scouting moulds the character of a child.

It also makes him a good citizen and also a future leader.”

“The children who involve themselves in scouting are beacons of hope and towers of strength for the future of a country,” the President said.

“There is no racism or any other element in scouting. It is a multi-faceted movement. A multi-religious movement and a multi-racial movement that has gained much popularity throughout the length and breadth of the globe.”

“I cannot forget the services rendered by scouts during the tsunami and post tsunami periods. I take this opportunity to hail the services rendered by scouts especially during tsunami period,” the President said. “Children who involve themselves in scouting will become efficient leaders and statesmen of the country and contribute greatly towards the development of the country,” he added.

“In an era when Sri Lanka is marching towards self-sufficient and progress, the contribution of scouts towards the country would be of great importance.” “A scout must love and respect his Motherland. The first, second and third priority should be his Motherland,” the President concluded.

Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera and Mervyn Silva, Sri Lanka Scouts Association Chairman Leslie Rupasinghe, Chief Scout Commissioner C Batuwangala, Assistant Chief Commissioner and International Organizing Commissioner Shiraz Salih were also present.