‘Uthuren Dakunata’ Cycle Parade:

Scouts receive massive support

Anuradha Abeysekara in Dondra

“The message of unity brought from North to South by the Scouts on Tuesday will show the world that Sri Lanka is a safe and filled with peace and harmony among all communities,” said the Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa who represented the Chief Scout in the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the concluding ceremony of the ‘Uthuren Dakunata Scouts’ Cycle Parade’ at point Dondra.

The parade has reached point Dondra on Tuesday morning to conclude its 680kms journey which commenced from Point Pedro on February 14. The parade organized by the Sri Lanka Scouts’ Association (SLSA) as a preparation for their centenary celebrations in 2012 and to commemorate World Scout Day which falls on February 22.

More than 100 cyclists from all districts, included scouts from all races Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and others took part in the parade to spread the message of unity, peace and harmony among all communities in the country. There were camp fires and various scouting activities at the night halts during the nine-day parade. The cyclists received a great response from the general public as there had been welcome ceremonies organized by the community groups in every town town they passed through.

On the eighth day cyclists pedaled from Galle to Matara passing Ahangama, Weligama, Mirissa and Kamburugamuwa covering nearly 50kms. They were received by the Matara Mayor Ranjith Yasarathne, Municipal Council members, Southern Provincial Council members and district scout officials at the Matara Municipal Council. The riders camped at the Rohana Maha Vidyalaya, Matara on February 21.

The final stage of the parade worked off from Matara to point Dondra the Scouts had the opprtunity of worshiping the ancient Upulwan Devalaya and concluded the parade near the lighthouse where the concluding ceremony was held. They handed over the flag which they carried through out the journey to the chief guest MP Namal Rajapaksa. Before taking charge of the flag the chief guest put his nature on the flag to mark acceptance of unity among all communities. SLSA Chairman Lesley Rupasinghe presented the ‘Uthuren Dakunata Scout Cycle Parade’ badge to the chief guest and other dignitaries. MP Namal Rajapaksa distributed the cycles and certificates to the participants of the parade.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody, Galle District Parliamentarian Nishantha Muthuhettigama, Southern Provincial Council Members Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Kanchana Wijesekara, Manoj Sirisena, Matara Mayor Ranjith Yasarathne, SLSA Chairman Lesley Rupasinghe, SLSA Chief Commissioner C Batuwanwala, Dondra Upulwan Devalaya Basnayaka Nilame Dishan Gunasekera and large number of scouts representing all the districts participated the concluding ceremony.