Sri Lanka Scouting to celebrate centenary Jamboree

Ridma Dissanayake

The Sri Lanka Scout Association will hold the Asia Pacific Regional Jamboree with the Centenary celebrations from April 1 to 6 in Dambulla.

Over 1,500 scouts from 27 countries of the Asia Pacific Region and 6,000 scouts from all parts of the island will participate in the international jamboree.

According to Chief Commissioner Chandrasena Batuwangala, this is the first ever international jamboree with a large contingent from foreign countries, to be held in Sri Lanka. The conducive and peaceful environment prevailing in the country with the aftermath of the prolonged conflict, invites extensive participation of foreign scouts and officials, he said.

The jamboree is organised by the Sri Lanka Scout Association with the concurrence of the World Organization of the Scout Movement Asia Pacific Region Executive Committee based in Philippines. A number of foreign journalists are expected to cover this extravaganza to voice the organizational prowess of Sri Lanka.

The media unit of the International Jamboree has lined up numerous programmes to promote Sri Lanka as an impeccable tourist destination in the world, with the support of the Economic Development Ministry and Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

Chief Scout President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the jamboree as chief guest while Philippines Vice President and Asia Pacific Regional Scouts Committee Chairman Jejomar C Binay will participate as a special guest.

This year is a landmark of Sri Lanka Scouting which completes 100 years of yeoman service to the country, society and particularly the youths. Lord Baden Powell inaugurated the Scout Movement in 1907 in the Brownsie Island in England. Soon Sri Lanka followed suit. In 1912, Francis George Stevenson, a prominent planter in the then Ceylon, introduced scouting to Sri Lanka. The first ever scout contingent was established in Christ Church College in Matale. Since then the scout movement had extended throughout Sri Lanka to become one of the most prestigious youth movements with a membership of over 46,000 today. The salient feature of the movement is that the officials are working on a voluntary basis.

Although the scout movement is in operation in 161 countries, Sri Lanka stands out as one of the most recognized movement, with active involvement in noticeable initiatives and activities.