Phase II Training Course of SL Scout Association

Phase II Training Course was held from Jan. 12- 14, at the Hunumulla CWW Kannangara Central College, with about 50 Scout and Cub Masters from various Districts participating.

The Training Course was conducted by Sri Lanka Scout Association, Negombo District Branch, Assistant District Commissioner of Training, Senarathlal Wickramasinghe as the Course Director, with the assistance of the National Training Team.

The aim of the Course is to empower Scouts and Cub Masters with skills in camping and exploring to gain self reliance. Participants were from various walks of life our such as Teachers, Air Force Officers, Counsellors and Social Service Volunteers.

It commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag, National Scout Flag, National Cub Flag and the District Flag by the Negombo District Commissioner Lakshan Perera, Asst. District Commissioner & National Trainer Lasantha Coorey and Sri Lanka Scout Association Headquarters Commissioner Priyadarshani Jayakody and the Course Director respectively.

Addressing the participants at the concluding ceremony Mr Lakshan Perera said, "I am extremely happy I could take the Negombo District Scouts Association forward with an increased number of Scouts and Scouts Masters. It is encouraging that Air Force and Navy Officers too volunteered to help us form Air Scouts Troops and Sea Scouts, under our supervision."

He further said that, "On the first day of our training there was a power failure due to a sudden storm, depriving us of water but, the Air Force Officers fetched water from a deep well they found, when we were completely helpless. This is how Scouts face challenges. It goes with our motto ‘ Be Prepared’.

Hunumulla CWW Kannangara Central College Principal Ranga Karunarathne speaking next said, "This College was built and donated in memory of the late mother of the first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake. In keeping with that tradition, we are always ready to extend our kindness to those who volunteer to help children. We alone cant do this task. We alone can't give the children what they want. We need your help in moulding the children’s characters.

K.L. Richard Walter Perera