A vision for the next hundred years
Ishara Jayawardane
A banner marking the centenary |
Bhathiya Jayakody being welcomed by Chief Commissioner C.
Batuwangala
|
The centenary for any organization is an important landmark. The
scout movement was started by Lord Baden Powell in 1907 with 20 scouts
and today has spread over 161 countries with a membership of 35 million
scouts. Scouting started in Sri Lanka in 1912 in Christ Church Matale
and has a membership of 46000 scouts in Sri Lanka.
Since the scout movement has grown in Sri Lanka for the last 100
years, we have to now have a vision for the next 100 years.“The
Centenary events were commemorated with religious poojas, services held
all over the country by scouts of all four main faiths. The Founder's
Day which falls on February 22 was celebrated with adult awards been
presented and a ceremony at the Bandaranaike Memorial International
Convention Hall (BMICH). The Western province held a walk from Galle
Face Green to Vihara Maha Devi Park saluting the Scout Golden Jubilee
statue at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha. Over 6000 cubs, scouts, leaders,
parents and well wishers took part in the walk,” said International
Commissioner Janaprith Fernando.
The Sri Lanka Scout Association was bestowed upon the opportunity of
holding the 29th Asia Pacific Regional International Jamboree along with
the centenary celebrations which was held recently in Dambulla, Matale
District.
The Jamboree was held in Kandalama, D S Senananyake Maha Vidayalaya
and its surroundings in a large land extent of around 20 acres bordering
the Kandalama Tank There were 700 schools from 26 countries. 6000 scouts
from all parts of the island attended the opening day. |