A vision for the next hundred years

Ishara Jayawardane

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.