Variety

Sri Lanka Centenary Scout Jamboree:

An exhilarating experience

The 29th Asia Pacific and Sri Lanka Centenary Scout Jamboree held from April 1 to 6 was a landmark event for the Sri Lanka Scout Association as it was the first time an event of such magnitude was hosted by them.Over 6,500 scouts and leaders representing 22 countries, participated in the event which was held on a sprawling 16 acre site bordering the picturesque Kandalama Tank.

After a training and orientation programme the scouts engaged in a number of activities depicting the history of the scout movement in Sri Lanka and also the cultural aspects of the countries represented.An adventurous youth programme too was organised. An exhibition of aircraft organised by the Air Scouts Movement was of great significance.The Air Scouts Movement got off the ground during the tenure of Air Chief Marshal P. H. Mendis. It was established in 1972 at 'Guwanpura' the domestic site of the Sri Lanka Air Force in Borella. Wg. Commander P.T.D. Silva became the Group Scout Leader with A. Weerasinghe and Rohan A.D. Fernando assisting him to carry out the Air Scout activities.

Countries which participated are:Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka (the host country).

Featured are some of the highlights from the Jamboree which concluded successfully at Dambulla.