Eighth National Scout Jamboree in Hambantota

The Sri Lanka Scout Association will celebrate its centenary of scouting in 2012. It has organised the eighth National Scout Jamboree in Angunakolapelessa from December 27 to 30.

Eleven thousand scouts will participate in the jamboree. It is important to balance proper care and supervision of young people by respecting their privacy and giving them the chance to learn by doing, said Assistant Chief Commissioner for International Affairs of the Sri Lanka Scout Association and Chief Organising Commissioner of the eighth National Jamboree, Shiraz Salih. He said “Our aim of scouting is to train young people in character building to become self-dependent and useful citizens to the society and country. Scout training specially in a Jamboree is based on outdoor life linked with the environment and adventure; and skills useful in day-to-day life are taught to scouts. Scouts learn the need for discipline from the time they take the promise.

The jamboree coincides with a cycle parade by the scouts from the North to the South organised by the Association from December 19 and ends with the opening ceremony of the National Jamboree on December 27, with the participation of the Chief Scout of Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa. On December 19, the special Cycle Parade “Yaalpanamen Magampurayata” will start from Point Pedro in Jaffna and proceed towards Angunakolapelessa via Vavuniya Kandy, Colombo, Matara and reach the eighth National Jamboree on December 27 at 2.30 to hand-over National Flag to Chief Scout, President. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa MP will be the chief guests at the cycle parade opening ceremony, Jaffna. President Rajapaksa and the Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa will be the chief guests at the opening ceremony in Angunakolapelessa, Hambantota.