We regret to inform that the beloved mother of old scouts Sajith Ellepola and Nalin Ellepola has passed away. The funeral is expected to be held on Thursday (21/06/2012).
We are happy to inform you that the son of J.H. De Seram has expressed his support for RISGO Centennial 2013. J.H. De Seram is the founder of Scouting at Dharmaraja College.
Special thanks to Ananda Melpitiya for the coordination.
The Annual Alms Giving to the Maha Sanga in honour of the Founder's Days Dharamaraja Collegesuccessfully held in 29th June 2012 at the "Asgiriya Priven".
The event is part of the activity calender of the Old Rajans Scout Association which organize the Arms Giving in honour of the Founder's Day of Dharmaraja College and have being successfully conducted for many consecutive years now.
This year is a special year as Dharamaraja College celebrates
its 125thAnniversary.
The event is organized by the former president of Old Rajans Scout Association Mr. Asitha Edirisooriay.
Further to the previous mail on following please note that I spoke to Ananda Perera and he expect us to contribute whatever possible amount to cover up his
medical expenses. I earnestly appeal from each of you if possible to contribute at least Rs.1000/- by depositing to our OBU a/c at BOC Milagiriya A/C no 1991497 before 24th July in order to donate him same collectively. After depositing please
inform by reply mail to me the name, date, amount and transaction reference no. The show will be on 27th July at Maharagama.
We are happy to inform you that the owner of Mango Graphics, Old Scout D.L. Dharmasena is providing sponsorship for the envelops used in official RISGO activities.
ORSA wishes to express its gratitude for this generous support.
We regret to inform you that a founding member and the first president of the Old Rajans Scout Association, Mr Saliya Rajakaruna passed away earlier this week. His funeral was held on Monday at the Mahaiyawa cemetery.
The 7 day remembrance bana was held today, and the alms giving will be held tomorrow. His family invites all who can to participate.
The Cricket Fiesta 2012, a Six a side, 10 overs Cricket Tournament organized by the Rajans President's Scouts Guild will be held on the 30th of September at the Dharmaraja College Grounds from 9.00 am onwards.
Mr. Saliya Rajakaruna, fondly known as Raja among his friends; the former Scouts Field Commissioner, Queen's Scout, and Woodman; was an exceptional human being who dedicated most of his life to promote scouting in Sri Lanka, and to improve the social well being of those around him. Raja was like a parent to his younger siblings when they were growing up and to hundreds of Children at SOS Childrens' Village at Piliyandala during his tenure there, as the Director from 1983-2000.
Raja was born in Kandy on August 24th 1940 and passed away on September 16th 2012 leaving behind his wife, Violet and son, Naradha.
Raja had his entire education at Dharmaraja College Kandy. As a student Raja was an all-rounder.He played Cricket, soccer, hockey, and volley-ball for his College.He also represented the Senior English Literary Union of the College in 1960 and in 1961 he was the Vice President of the Senior Sinhalese Literary Union. In sporting activities Raja was well known as a cricketer, playing for the Dharmaraja first XI team during 1958-1960. He also played for the Central Province Cricket Team in 1960.As younger school boys, we still recall Rajaâs bowling as a spinner and the opening batsmen well know to be an anchor batsmen holding up the innings. In 1959, he won the best bowler price of the 1st XI Cricket Team of the College, and in 1960, during the big-match against Kingswood College Kandy, Raja was adjudicated the best bowler of the match.His bowling record of 7 wickets for 20 runs, during Dharmaraja Vs Trinity College, encounter in 1960 still remains unbeaten.
However, Rajaâs biggest contribution to his school and the Nation undoubtedly was in the field of Scouting. He joined the 1st Kandy (Dharmaraja Scout troop) as a Cub-Scout and went on to become a Queenâs Scout in 1958 and became the Troop Leader the following year.In 1963 he together with a team of a handful of Senior Scouts in his troop, undertook a stupendous task of organising an all island jamboree, joined by over 1000 Scouts, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee (50 years of Scouting) in his School.The Governor General Mr. William Gopallawa, who was the chief guest at the âScout-o-Rajanâ which was the grand finale of the Jamboree, had been so impressed and pleasantly surprised of the organising capabilities of this Scout troop, that he had later sent a letter of commendation appreciating Rajaâs contribution to Scouting.
For Raja, Scouting and his alma mater were inseparable.Having completed a colourful student ship in his school he joined the College Staff in 1961 as the Librarian, Assistant Warden of the College hostel and Assistant Scout Master.Later he served his School as the Group Scout Master, and the Junior Cricket Coach and the Welfare Officer of the School Hostel. Raja went on to follow training programmes related to Scouting and won the Wood Badge in 1969 and Cub Wood Badge in 1970.In the subsequent years he participated in the national leadersâ trainers course, Public Relation seminar, the 5th Asia Pacific community development seminar etc. In 1977 he followed the Asia Pacific 3rd professional course for scout career executives in the Philippines. In 1999, he was awarded a medal of merit for president scouts, and in 2002, Veteranâs scout award.
Professional Services in Scouting and SOS
Raja joined professional Scouting in1969 as a Field Commissioner in charge of the Uva Province. In 1974 he became the Filed Commissioner of the Central Province and continued holding that post until he took leave from his Scouting carrier in 1987 to join the SOS Movement as the Project Director of the SOS Childrenâs Village, Piliyandala, where he cared for hundreds of children in this Country until he retired in the year 2000. The president of the Worldwide SOS Kinderdorf International Mr. Helmut Kutin had sent a letter of commendation appreciating Rajaâs yeoman contribution to SOS world.
Rajaâs commitment for his Alma mater and Scouting never faded. He took steps in 1978 to form Old Rajans' Scout Association; to which he was committed for the rest of his life.According to the Scouts' motto Raja wanted to "be prepared" even for death.To honor his request of a quick funeral, 1st Kandy (Dharmaraja) Scouts were prepared for an honorable farewell to him. Raja was dressed in a Scout uniform for his final journey, amidst a guard of honor accorded by Scouts.The leaders of the Sri Lanka Scout Association were pall bearers at the last lap to the funeral payer on Monday 17th September 2012 at the Mahaiyawa Cemetery, Kandy.
Most of all, we remember our near and dear friend Raja because of the example one can draw from his life, which is, his exemplary character as a perfect human being and a perfect gentleman. His character is worth emulating by all human beings.He will be immensely missed by his dear wife, son, sisters and brothers and by everybody who had the good fortune of associating him even for a short spell of time.
A tribute by; Shanthi De Silva (Queenâs Scout) and David Amarasinghe (Queenâs Scout)
RISGO officials gave a brief introduction of the history of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and plans of RISGO Centennial 2013. Also RISGO officials invited Mr. Rasheed to be present at the event at the Opening ceromony as the Chief Guest.
Mr. Rasheed expressed his fullest cooperation to event and wished every success.
The 6 a Side 10 Overs Cricket Tournament organized by Rajans President's Scouts Guild was successfully held on 30th September 2012 at Lake View Park grounds
with the participation of 150 participants including Guild Members, Old Rajans and Old Scouts, members of Kandy District President Scouts and President Guides Association(PSPG).
This cricket tournament was held in order to develop the mutual understanding and harmony.
The Kandy PSPG team (team no.02) and Old Rajans Scout team were selected to the finals out of 10 teams played in the tournament and the Kandy PSPG team was able win the
Champion showing their energetic and sporty performances.
Presidents scout Eshan Palipana from Rajans Presidents Scouts Guild played for SUPER T6 Team judged as the Best Bowler while Presidents Scout Vimukthi Bandara from same
team awarded with the Best Batsman title.
Presidents Scout A.T Hibshy from Trinity College who played for Kandy PSPG Team won the Best All Rounder title.
In this colorful event Old Rajans Presidents Scouts Lt.Colonel Epshitha Dissanayaka and Lt.Colonel Uditha Wijesekara attended as the Chief Guests.
RISGO 2013 officials met with Mr. D.G.A. Perera who was in Dharmaraja from 1939 to 1965 as a student and then as a teacher whom the students that time loved most. RISGO Officials invited Mr. Perera to be present at the RISGO 2013 in next February when 1st Kandy Group celebrated its 100 years of scouting.
He is probably the oldest living scouter (Scout Leader) to serve the 1st
Kandy Dharmaraja Scout group. He severed the group as a scout leader during Group Scout Leader Mr. B.A.S. Wimalachandra ( who was the GSL during 1936 to 1967). Mr. Perera provided with very important information about how the scouting have being during his days at the group and before.
Today we at Old Rajans Scout Association marks 34 years teamwork (12th November 2012).
As many of our members and well wishers know, it wasn't a rosy path that
we did ride all these years to being a one team that works towards a common goals of,
helping 1st Kandy Scout Group to enhance quality of scouting,
enhance and maintain the Lake View Park International Scout Centre and
bringing all the Old Scout together to a common forum.
We were the first in Sri Lanka to form a such team and today we are proud to be the first and continues. Any of the work we did we tried to be the best among others. We succeeded on many occasions, but there were
times we weren't.
We started 33rd year with the loss of our first Treasure, Mr. V.K. Angammana and ended the year with loss of our first President Mr. Saliya
Rajakaruna. Yes, these were great losses to us. We will not be able to fill these losses ever, but we are prepared ("Be prepared" as BP wanted
us to be) to take on any challenge.
In 34 years of history, for us the next year will be the most challenging year as we are gathering to celebrate 100 years of scouting excellence at 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group.
We feel we are now better equipped with all the armory to conquer any challenges that will come our way.
Today we thank all our members and well wishes who were being with us in
our good times as well as bad times. We all together formulate a such a
powerful team that will serve scouting community not only at Dharamaraja but also all around the globe.
We invite all others who want to join us to work towards our common goals, come and team up with us to provide the service that community needs.
The 2nd Media Conference of RISGO Centennial 2013 was succesfully held at Dharmaraja College OBU Head Quaters on 20th November 2012 (Today) with Participation of Eminent Journalists from various Media Institutes.
Principle of Dharmaraja College/ RISGO Chief - Mr.S.M.Keerthirathna, Deputy Principle of Dharmaraja College/ Asst.Chief Commissioner - SLSA /Co-Chairman of RISGO Organizing Committee Mr. S.K.P.Matharaarachchi, President of OLD Rajans Scout Association Mr. Suminda Vithanaarachchi, Co- Coordinators of RISGO Organizing Committee Dr. Jagath Herath and Mr.Saminda Basnayaka Addressed in the Press Conference and Emphasized the importance of the event in order to Development of Sri Lankan Scouting and Enhancing the Image of Country through such a jamboree.
Special Thanks Goes to Mr.Premalal Wijesingha and Mr.Bandula Mudannayaka
for Organizing this Successful Press Conference with a view to Propagate RISGO Centennial 2013.