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Lake View Park International Scout Centre

Lake View Park International Scout Centre (Sinhala language: ලේක්විව්පාක් ජාත්‍යන්තර බාලදක්ෂ මූලස්ථානය.), is a scout campsite, Scout Activity Centre, training and conference centre for Scouting groups, which belongs to the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. This 57-acre site is located in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Lake View Park International Scout Centre
Owner1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group
LocationKandy
CountrySri Lanka
Coordinates7°17′18.8268″N 80°39′05.6232″E / 7.288563000°N 80.651562000°E / 7.288563000; 80.651562000
Website
lakeviewscouts.com
 Scouting portal

Lake View Park International Scout Centre is modeled on the Gilwell Park in London, [1] and consists of rally grounds, camp sites, a campfire circle, the den, kitchen complex, lecture rooms and dormitories.[2]

The 57-acre land, belonging to Dharmaraja College, was allocated for the scout group by P. de Kularatne, the college principal, in 1924. The founder of the Scout Movement, Robert Baden-Powell, visited the site twice during the 1920s. In 1984, the scout centre was named as the Lake View Park International Scout Centre, and its highest point was named Baden Powell hill to mark the historical visit of Baden-Powell.[3][4]

Parallel to the RISGO – Centenary celebration of the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group, Lakeview park international scout center was renovated with several new constructions. A memorial statue of the J.H. De Saram – founder of the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group was unveiled on 18 February 2013, at the RISGO by his son J.H. De Saram Jr.

The center is located in a summit which is approximately 2.5 km away from the heart of Kandy Town. This is surrounded by other mountains like Knuckles Mountain Range, Hanthana Mountain Range, Hunnasgiriya and Alagalla and provides a panoramic view of the surroundings, including Temple of the Tooth and Kandy Lake.

Lake View Park International Scout Centre consists of rally grounds, camp sites, campfire circle, the den, kitchen complex, lecture rooms and dormitories.

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group

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1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group
 
HeadquartersLake View Park International Scout Centre
CountrySri Lanka
Founded1913
FounderJ. H. de Seram
Membership1,297
  Scouting portal

Lake View Park International Scout Centre is owned 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group (Sinhala: පළමුවන මහනුවර ධර්මරාජ බාලදක්ෂ සමූහය) is the Scout Group of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is known to be the oldest continuous scout group in the Sri Lanka Scout Association.

History

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In 1913, six years after Robert Baden-Powell introduced scouting 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 founded by late Mr. John Henry De Saram under the Principalship of late Mr.K.F. Billimoria.[5][6][7][8]

1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scouts had the rare opportunity to honour 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.

As part of centenary celebration, 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout group established a Guinness world record by creating the world largest neckerchief measures 53.7 m x 37.1 m x 37.1 m (176 ft 2.4 in x 121 ft 8.4 in x 121 ft 8.4 in) and the largest woggle measures 1.03 m (3 ft 4.55 in) in diameter and 1 m (3 ft 3.37 in) in height on 20 February 2014.[9][10]

Group Scout Leaders

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  • 1913 – 1931    Mr. J.H.De Seram
  • 1931 – 1934    Mr. J.N.Thomas
  • 1934 – 1967    Mr. B.A.S.Wimalachandra
  • 1967 – 1970    Mr. S.Rajakaruna
  • 1970 – 1978    Mr. B.N.B.Dolapihilla
  • 1978 – 1993    Mr. M.B.Weerasekara
  • 1993 – 2007    Mr. S.K.P.Mataraarachchi
  • 2007 – 2008    Mr. S.M.Keerthiratne
  • 2008 – 2009    Mr. S.K.B.Weerakoon
  • 2009 – 2015    Mr. M.Wijesiriwardhane
  • 2015 – 2017    Mr. R.M.S.Rathnayake
  • 2017 – 2019    Mr. I.B.Pulasinghe
  • 2019 – 2023   
  • 2023 – Present    Mr. R.M.S.Rathnayake

International Expeditions

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Dharmaraja scouts climbed the Himalaya mountains seven times from 1985 to 2007.[11] [12] [13] [14]

In 2017, team of 12 scouts from Dhramraja Scout Group conquered the K2, the second highest peak in the world at 8,611 m (28,251 ft). This is the first time that a Sri Lankan Scout Group takes part in climbing the K2. [15]

Awards and recognition

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The 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group's 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 30 September 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.

From 1993 up to 2006, Dharmaraja Scouts won the Island Merit Flag for being the Best Scout Group in Sri Lanka, consecutively.[16]

Old Rajans Scout Association

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Old Rajans Scout Association
 
HeadquartersLake View Park International Scout Centre
CountrySri Lanka
Founded12 November 1978
Website
www.oldrajansscouts.org
  Scouting portal

Events at Lake View Park International Scout Centre are supported by the Old Rajans Scout Association (Sinhala: 'ධර්මරාජ ආදි බාලදක්ෂ සංගමය) (or ORSA). This is an organization consisting of past scouts of the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group (Sinhala: 'පලවන මහනුවර ධර්මරාජ බාලදක්ෂ සමූහය) of Dharmaraja College (Sinhala: 'ධර්මරාජ විද්‍යාලය), Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was the first old scout association in Sri Lanka founded on 12 November 1978 at Lake View Park International Scout Centre. The ORSA was founded by late Mr. Saliya Rajakaruna, Mr. Shantha Madurawa and late Mr. V.K. Angammana as president, secretary and treasurer respectively under the principalship of Mr. A.P. Gunarathna [17] and the guidance of then Group Scout Master of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group Mr. M.B. Weerasekara.

The 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 Dharmaraja College.[18] ORSA has contributed to develop and maintain the Lake View Park International Scout Centre, and to organise a series of international scout Jamborees[19] as part of its contribution to the scouts around the globe.

Full membership is only awarded to the past scouts of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group who have achieved the 1st Class Scout badge.[citation needed]

International Events

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Together with 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group, the association has successfully organized seven international scouting events including Jamboree (Scouting), JIMs, Adventure Programs.[19]

Dharmaraja Centenary JIM 1987

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When Dharmaraja College celebrated the Centenary year in 1987 (1887–1987),[20] 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and the Old Rajans Scout Association organized the Dharmaraja Centenary JIM 1987 from 18 to 22 February 1987. It was also the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Scout Association. It consisted of Cub Scouts, Scouts, Rovers and Scout Leaders totalling to 1000, which makes it one of the largest in the whole world.[3]

Then President of Sri Lanka Mr. J. R. Jayewardene was the chief guest at the ‘Centenary JIM’, who also paid tribute to the then principal A. P. Gunaratna and then Group Scout Leader Bandara Weerasekera and the organizers for conducting a Jamboree of exceptional standard.[18]

The name JIM stands for Jamboree Indaba Moot.

Jamboree
Jamboree was a name given by Baden Powell to the first International gathering of Scouts at Olympia, London, in 1920. When asked, "Why Jamboree?" Baden Powell replied: "What else would you call it?"[citation needed]
Indaba
a Zulu word, means gathering of chiefs The first World Scout Indaba was held at Gilwell Park, in Essex, the training ground for Scout Leaders, in 1952.[citation needed]
Moot
Moot was again suggested by Baden Powell as a gathering for Rover Scouts. It comes from the old English meaning gathering of young men for discussion concerning the affairs of the community.[citation needed]

DESAI Jamborette 1994

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1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group celebrated 80 years of scouting with DESAI (Dharmaraja 80th Scout Anniversary International) Jamborette from 18 to 22 February 1994. DESAI organized jointly by the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group and Old Rajans Scout Association.[19]

Rajans Venture '97

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Dharmaraja College celebrated its 110th anniversary in 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" from 18 to 22 February 1997. It was the first adventure program to be held in Sri Lanka with, Water Activities, Hiking, and Ground Activities.[19]

Rajans Millennium Jamboree 2000

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1st Kandy Dharamaraja Scout Group together with Old Rajans Scout Association organized the Rajans Millennium Jamboree from 18 to 22 February 2000, to commemorate the dawn of the new millennium and to celebrate the winning of Island Merit flag for best Scout Group in Sri Lanka for consecutive years from 1996.[19]

Rajans JIM 2003

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The 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" from 14 to 20 August 2003.[21] This was the 5th International Scout Program to be organized and held at the Lake View Park International Scout Centre.

RANSAI 2008

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1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2008 by organizing an adventure and leadership program named "RANSAI - RAjans Nintyfifth Scout Anniversary International - 2008" from 26 to 30 December 2008.[19][22]

RISGO Centennial 2013

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RISGO CENTENNIAL (Rajans International Scout Gathering Of Centennial ) 2013 (Sinhala: 'රිස්ගෝ – සියවස් සැමරුම් ජාත්යන්තර බාලදක්ෂ එකමුතුව), was an International Scout Jamboree to mark the Centenary Celebrations of 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group (1913–2013) of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Sri Lanka from 18 to 22 February 2013.[23][24][25]

The event included many scouting activities,[26][27] and was open to all members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). This include Cub Scouts, Scouts, Rovers, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides, Leaders and Old Scouts from all around the world.[24][28] [29] [30] [31] [32] It was organized as a joint venture by 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group & Old Rajans Scouts Association. The Chief Scout, the Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, (President of Sri Lanka) attended.[33]

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  •  
    Entrance to the Centre
  •  
    Statue of J.F.De Seram
  •  
    Camp fire circle
  •  
    Pathways & Open Kitchen
  •  
    Den Cabin
  •  
    Wimalachandra Cabin
  •  
    Gunarathna Cabin
  •  
    Camp Sites

Other Events

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Other

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Old Rajans Scout Association have organized scout development programs throughout its history with 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group. These events include many programs to benefiting different section of scouting community in Sri Lanka.

CENRAC 2017

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CENtenary of RAjan Cubs 2017 is the cub scouts activity camp held on 7–8 October 2017 to celebrate centenary cub scouting at 1st Kandy Scout group. 1300 cub scouts representing 25 scout districts spent two days at the Lake View Park International Scout Centre and experienced more than 30 special activities and enjoyed other events specifically organized for cubs scouts aged 7 to 10. Mr. Meril Gunathilake, incumbent Chief Scout Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scout Association declared opened the CENRAC on a colorful opening ceremony while, General Officer Commanding of 11th Division of Sri Lanka Army, Major General Nishshanka Ranawana graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest of the two day event.[citation needed]

During the closing ceremony, the Old Rajans Scout Association declared former Group Scout Master Mr. Bandara Weerasekara as the "Impeza of the Lakeview" in honor of his 50 years continues scout service.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Lake View Park International Scout Centre". Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  2. ^ "'RANSAI 2008' at Lakeview Park, Kandy from Dec. 26". Sunday Observer. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b Ananda Melpitiya (21 December 2008). "Dharmaraja scouts score many firsts". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  4. ^ "The Legends Since 1913.....!". Wallpaper. Dharmaraja Alumni Association of North America. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  5. ^ Ananda Melpitiya (21 December 2008). "Dharmaraja scouts score many firsts". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  6. ^ "RISGO International Scout Jamboree in Kandy from Feb 18". Sunday Observer. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  7. ^ "'RANSAI 2008' at Lakeview Park, Kandy from Dec. 26". Sunday Observer. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  8. ^ "The Legends Since 1913.....!". Wallpaper. Dharmaraja Alumni Association of North America. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  9. ^ "World largest neckerchief and woggle". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Dharmaraja scouts create history with a Guinness World Record". The Island. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Himalayan Expedition 2007". The Sunday Times. 12 August 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  12. ^ Randima Attygalle (12 November 2006). "First men on Baden-Powell". The Nation. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Scouts return from Himalayan peak climb". The Sunday Times. 1 October 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  14. ^ Randima Attygalle. "He did stand tall". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  15. ^ "Sri Lankan students to climb mountain 'K2'". Department of Government Information. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  16. ^ Ananda Melpitiya (24 June 2012). "Dharmaraja College". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  17. ^ "History of Dharamaraja Scouting". Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  18. ^ a b "The Legends Since 1913.....!". Wallpaper. Dharmaraja Alumni Association of North America. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "'RANSAI 2008' at Lakeview Park, Kandy from Dec. 26". Sunday Observer. Sunday Observer. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  20. ^ Ananda Melpitiya (24 June 2012). "Dharmaraja College". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  21. ^ "'RANSAI 2008' at Lakeview Park, Kandy from Dec. 26". Sunday Observer. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2013. ... the Group and the Association have organised five international events - Dharmaraja Centenary JIM in 1987, DESAI Jamborette in 1994, Rajans Venture in 1997, Rajans Millennium Jamboree in 2000 and the Rajans JIM 2003 in 2003 on a grand scale to commemorate their long history.
  22. ^ Organizing Committee of RANSAI 2008. "RANSAI Official Web". Retrieved 16 June 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "RISGO Centennial 2013". Sri Lanka Scout Association. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Scouting Events Database". World Scout Bureau Inc. 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  25. ^ "RISGO 2013". RISGO. Retrieved 26 April 2013.[non-primary source needed]
  26. ^ "Risgo centennial 2013". 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  27. ^ "Rajans to hold Int'l scouts' meeting next year". Sunday Observer. 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  28. ^ "Risgo Centennial-2013, International Scout Jamboree Kandy Sri-Lanka - 2013". The Bharat Scouts & Guides, National Headquarters. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  29. ^ "SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY:RISGO CENTENNIAL JAMBOREE, SRI LANKA" (PDF). Scouts Australia. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  30. ^ "International Events List 2012-2014". Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  31. ^ "International events". Scouts New Zealand. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  32. ^ "Exhibitions & Events In Sri Lanka". Embassy of Sri Lanka in Stockholm. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  33. ^ "News in Pictures". Sunday Observer. 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

See also

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