1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group
Type	Scout Group
Sections	Cubs,Scouts,Rover,Scout Leaders
Location	Lake View Park International Scout Centre
District	Kandy
Country	Sri Lanka
Continent	Sri Lanka
Date Founded	1913
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1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group (Sinhala: පලවන මහනුවර ධර්මරාජ බාලදක්ෂ සමූහය) is the Scout Group of the Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Sri Lanka, It is founded in 1913, as a second scout Group in Sri Lanka & the First Scout Group in Kandy District. It is one of the prominent scout groups in Sri Lanka with 100 years of scouting history as it is the oldest of continues scout groups in Sri Lanka. It has being the best scout group in Sri Lanka continuously from 1993 to 2006. The scout group consist of Cub Scouts, Scouts, Rowers and Scout Leaders totaling to 1000, which makes it a one of the largest in whole world.

1st Kandy Scout Group has produced many distinguish characters including Hon. William Gopallawa, former President of Sri Lanka.

History

Origin

In 1907,Robert Baden-Powell organized an experimental camp for a group of 20 boys in Brownsea Island in Pearl Harbour, England, marked the birth of the Boy Scout movement. In 1913, six years after scouting was introduced to the world, scouting arrived at Dharmaraja College. The 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group is the second Scout Troop in Ceylon and the 1st group in Kandy District.

First Great Achievement

The 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group has a remarkable 100-year history in the local and international scout arena with its very first great achievement, the "King's Flag" which they won for three consecutive years, that is in 1917, 1918 and 1919. This flag was traditionally awarded to a troop in the British Colonies that had the largest number of King Scouts on September 30th in each year. In those years the number of colonies in the British Empire was quite a considerable number and no other troop in the Colonies could emulate that achievement.

Mr. J. H. de Saram held the unique length of time.

Dharmaraja Scouts won the Brigadier Hackett Thomson Championship Flag for All-Round Excellence at the first ever All Island Rally held at the Colombo Race Course in 1917. Scout Henry Thenuwara was the sole Ceylonese representative at the first Imperial Jamboree held in England in 1920 at the Crystal Palace. The Troop had the unique distinction of providing a guard-of-honour when his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) visited Ceylon in 1921. This guard-of-honour was drawn up on the platform of the Kandy Railway Station and was personally inspected by His Royal Highness who paid tribute Rajans on very smart turn-out, thereby being the only troop in the East to receive this recognition up to that date in 1921.

Honour the Founder

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scouts had the rare opportunity to honor the founder, Lord Baden Powell when he paid a visit to Dharmaraja College in 1921. Dharmaraja scouts had felicitated the founder on three different occasions when he visited Sri Lanka. In 1924 the Troop produced the first Bushman Thong Scout (Senior Scout Award) in Ceylon. In 1930 Dharmaraja Scouting carried a niche in the history, when their founder Mr. J. H. de Saram was appointed as the first Native Chief Commissioner of National Scout Association. He rendered a yeoman service to the scout movement for a successful and continuous 12 years. The Troop won the Sir Andrew Caldecott Silver Cup for the Best Troop in Sri Lanka in 1957 and again in 1958 when she won the Island Merit Flag for being the Best Troop at the Kandy District Rally.

Exceptional Three Decades

Late Mr. B. A. S. Wimalachandra rewrote history for being the Group Scout Master for over three decades up to 1967. During his lengthy stint, the scouts won accolades for several exceptional achievements.

After his era Mr. Saliya Rajakaruna was appointed Group Master. During his period vast improvement was shown with hiking, mountain climbing, training camps and other scout activities added to the discipline. Under the noble guidance of Mr. Rajakaruna, Dharmaraja Scouts won the Island Merit Flag once again.

Dharmaraja scouts, again had the honour to hosting Mr. Dale Sylvester, Asia-Pacific Scout Commissioner of the World Scout Bureau, during his visit to Sri Lanka in 1971, when Mr. B. N. B. Dolapihilla was the Group Scout Master. Mr. M. B. Weerasekera who was the Group Scout Master from 1977 to 1993 had also received the award from the Royal Highness for his admirable leadership, creating another record during the Dolapihilla period.

World of Old Scouts

In 1977, Mr. M. Bandara Weerasekera was appointed as the Group Scout Master of the College. Before the new rendezvous he was a very talented innovator of the Group. Forming first ever old scout association in Sri Lanka the "Old Rajans Scout Association" in 1978, November 12 th.

The then Principal of Dharamaraja College Mr. A. P. Gunaratna's dedication and able guidance to scouting of the college, achieved these chronicles in the history.

Centenary JIM

When Dharmaraja College celebrated the Centenary year in 1987, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and the Old Rajans Scout Association organized the 'Centenary JIM 1987' to commemorate 100 years in grand style. It was the very refreshing and fascinating programme which any scout can remember with pride. President J. R. Jayewardene the chief guest at the 'Centenary JIM' paid tribute to the then principal A. P. Gunaratna and then Group Scout Master Bandara Weerasekera and the organizers for conducting a Jamboree of exceptional standard.

Mr. Sarath Mataraarachchi succeeded Mr. M.B.Weerasekera in 1993 as the Group Scout Master, who had accumulated more feats which were impressive honours for the Group. His scouting expertise and domination had targeted several feats.

From 1993 up to 2006, Dharmaraja Scouts won the Island Merit Flag for being the Best Scout Group in Sri Lanka, consecutively.

From 2007 scouting at Dharmaraja is actively supported by the current Principal Mr. S. M. Keerthiratne.

Himalayan Expeditions

Dharmaraja scouts brought honor to the motherland in several occasions, climbing the Himalaya Mountain seven times from 1985 to 2007.

International Events

Dharmaraja Centenary Jim 1987

When Dharmaraja College celebrated the Centenary year in 1987, 1st Kandy Scout Group and the Old Rajans Scout Association organized the "'‘Centenary JIM 1987’'" to commemorate 100 years in grand style. It was a very refreshing and fascinating programme which any scout can remember with pride. President J. R. Jayewardene the chief guest at the "'‘Centenary JIM’'" paid tribute to the then principal A. P. Gunaratna , Group Scout Master Bandara Weerasekera and the organizers for conducting a Jamboree of exceptional standard.

DESAI Jamborette 1994

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group celebrated 80 years of scouting with DESAI (Dharmaraja Eighieth Scout Annivesary International) Jamborette 1994. DESAI organized jointly by the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and Old Rajans Scout Association.

Rajans Venture '97

Dharmaraja College celebrated its 110th Anniversary in year 1997 by organizing a series of events. As part of that, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and Old Rajans Scout Association jointly organized the "Rajans Venture '97". It is the first adventure program to be held in Sri Lanka with, Water Activities. Hiking, Ground Activities

Rajans Millennum Jamboree 2000

1st Kandy Dharamaraja Scout Group together with Old Rajans Scout Association organized the Rajans Millennium Jamboree 2000, to commemorate the dawn of new millennium and to celebrate the winning of Island Merit flag for best scout group in Sri Lanka for consecutively from 1996.

Rajans Jim 2003

Year 2003 marked the 90 years of scouting at 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. To celebrate the 90 years, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and Old Rajans Scout Association jointly organized the "Rajans Jim 2003". This was the 5th International Scout Program to be organized and held at the Lake View Scout Centre.

Ransai 2008

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2008 by organizing an adventure and leadership program named "RANSAI 2008", Rajans Ninety-fifth Scout Anniversary International.

RISGO Centennial 2013

RISGO Centennial 2013 (Rajans International Scout Gathering Of Centennial ) 2013, is an International Scout Jamboree to mark the Centenary Celebrations of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group.

Organizing Structure & Scouting Sections

Age range Scouting sections

• From year 7 to 11 - Cubs Scouts
• From year 11 to 15 - Junior Scouts
• From year 15 and 18 - Senior Scouts
• From year 18 and 24 - Rover Scouts

Old Rajans Scouts Association

Main article: Old Rajans Scout Association

Old Rajans Scout Association (ORSA) is the gathering of past scouts of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. The association is the pioneer old scouts’ association established in Sri Lanka, is playing an invaluable role in promoting the Scout Movement in Dharmaraja College, in the District of Kandy and generally in the whole of Sri Lanka.

ORSA is formed in 12th November 1978. Primary objective of the association is to maintain strong ties with the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and work towards the betterment of Scouting at Dharamaraja College.

Lake View Park International Scout Centre

Main article: Lake View Park International Scout Centre

Lake View Park International Scout Centre is home for the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. It is modeled on the Gilwell Park in London, and consists of rally grounds, camp sites, a campfire circle, the den, kitchen complex, lecture rooms and dormitories. Lake View Park International Scout Centre is Sri Lanka's one of the most prestige scout center as the founder of scout moment Load Baden Powell him self has visited this very location.