A Bridge to the Future

The Moratuwa-Piliyandala District Branch affiliated to the Sri Lanka Scout Association celebrates its "Golden Jubilee" this year. Among the main events organised are the 44th Annual District Camp and Rally to be held for five days from Sept. 17 to 21 at Sri Sunandopananda Maha Vidyalaya Grounds, Egodauyana, Moratuwa.

The entire scout population of the district, together with their Scout Leaders will join in the camp, and several scout contingents from other districts, especially from the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka will also take part. As the theme goes, i.e. "A Bridge to the Future", our Tamil brother-scouts from the North and East have given their consent to take part in this grand event to bridge the gap between the northern and southern scouts of Sri Lanka.

The Camp Opening Ceremony, the Scout Exhibition, Skill-O'Rama, Grand Camp-Fire, Cub Scouts' and Girl Guides' Day and the Scouts' Arena Show are the main highlights of the camp.

The Deputy Minister of Justice, V. Puthrasingamani, M.P., who is an ex-Scout, will grace the Golden Jubilee Celebrations as the Chief Guest, and a Public Rally and a Presentation of Awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 20 followed by an Arena Show.

Romesh Kaluwitharana, a former Scout will be the Chief Guest at the Grand Arena Show by the Scouts.

A Golden Jubilee Souvenir with historical facts and the activities carried out by the District Branch will be released at the Public Rally of the Camp.

History says that the first Scout Troop in Moratuwa. i.e. 1st Moratuwa Troop was formed at St. Sebastian's English School in 1920 by Joseph E. Ferdinando, and the 1st Piliyandala Troop was formed at Central College in 1948 in Colombo District Branch.

But in 1957, a proposal was submitted to the National Scout headquarters to install a new district by the name "Moratuwa-Piliyandala District Branch", and it was accepted. On November 25 1959, the new District Branch was formed and Major J. P. E. Dias became the first District Commissioner and H. E. P. De Mel, a well-known personality, became the first President.

The Annual District Camp which was started in 1965 will be held for the 44th time in this Jubilee year. Srilath De Silva, the present District Commissioner and the Camp Chief says, it is an honour to be the District Commissioner when the District Branch celebrates its Golden Jubilee.

The Camp Organising Committee is headed by a very experienced Asst. District Commissioner Gratian T. Fernando. Gerald M. Cooray, a former District Commissioner and a former National Training Commissioner will be the Chairman of the Jubilee Organising Committee. Mr. Cooray together with Noel C. Mendis, T. C. L. Ferdinando and Claude J. Mendis are the other four founder members of the District who are still active in Scouting.

They will be honoured for their 50 years of continuous and dedicated services to the Scout Movement at the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Apart from that, all active members of the Executive Committee, the Commissioners and Warranted Scout Leaders, totalling more than 80 members, will be honoured and rewarded with Jubilee Gold Medals for their present services.

The scouts, former scouts and leaders who get together at their Annual District Camp, will meet and share ideals and experiences with one another. The elders pave the way for the younger scouts to get involved with 'Skill O'Rama' activities, and Lasantha Cooray, a Leader Trainer and the Asst. District Commissioner for Training will be the Organiser for Camp activities. Wide games, hikes and practical sessions on first aid, pioneering, miming, etc., have been included in the training agenda for the scouts.

A special day has been allocated for the Cub Scouts, aged 8 to 11, and to the visiting Girl Guides to undergo some camping experiences and take part in 'Skill O'Rama' activities.

"It will be a great opportunity for the adventure minded boys and girls to take part in scout craft activities through 'Skill O'Rama' program" said the District Commissioner, Srilath De Silva. "Scouting is defined as the 'Science of Outing', and a boy who gains camping experience will learn how to live in harmony not only with people, but with the nature as well", he further said.