Celebrating over ninety years of Scouting and Guiding

by Lakmal Welabada

Leadership and many other talents are something that is in born in many human beings. Scouting and Girl Guiding brush up hidden skills of youngsters in many ways.

Lord Baden to well who realised the significance of improving leadership qualities of the youth founded Scouting a century ago. Scouting and Girl Guiding probably the world's best movements for both young males and females was introduced to Sri Lanka about 90 years back.

To commemorate their anniversaries the Sri Lanka Queen's and President's Scout Guild has organised many a programme. The National Scouting parade was held on January 24 from 8.00 to 11.00 a.m. which followed the Commemorating Parade of Lord Baden Powel and Lady Olave Baden Powel at the Viharamaha Devi Park, Colombo.

The World Organisation of the Scout Movement is an international, non-governmental organisation composed of its recognised national Scout organisations. Its governing body is the World Conference, which meets every three years, and its executive is the World Committee composed of elected volunteers.

There are more than 28 million Scouts; youngsters (learners and leaders) and adults (who perform their duties as leaders), both males and females in 216 countries and territories.

According to Sanath Rohana Wickremasinghe, approximately there are 30,000 Scouts and 20,000 Girl Guides registered in Sri Lanka branch of the movement. "Scouting form leaders. There are many to name to give a credit this in the world.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to step on the moon should be the best example. And the most famous singer duo Bhathiya and Santhush had sung their first lines of songs while being beside the Camp fire at the Colombo Camporee some years back.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and Cardiologist Dr. Rajiv Pieris were also among the best Scouts who got the best out to their lives by being a member of the Scouting movement. President Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn as the Chief Scout recently at the Lord Baden Powel's Birth Anniversary ceremony held on February 22," says Sanath.