'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. |