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History of the 2^nd Matale Scout Troop (St. Thomas’ College)

St.Thomas’college scout troop inaugurated in 1935 was the 2^nd Matale scout troop.

When we consider the commendable glorious history of the college we cannot forget the yeomen service tendered by Mr.Rosary Anthony, Mr.R.V.A.Nawarathna, Mr.Priyantha Thennakoon with respect of the forward march of the scout troop.

In memory of the completion of 75 years to the scout movement memorial Jamboree was held at the college where the college scout troop played an important key role.

For some period the scout activities were at a standstill, when the wood-badge award holder old scout Mr.Priyantha Thennakoon sacrificed and initiated in upbringing the movement. Hence the college scouts dedicated with a keen interest winning lot of awards.

In 1989 a new scout group was started with the honest co-operation the scout master Mr. Keerthi Amarathunga.

To the first SAARC Jamboree held at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, senior scout of college Mudith Dissanayake participated.

To the scout Jamboree held at St. Anthony’s college Katugastota, two of our scouts participated.

One day camp and a friend-ship camp with the participation of neighboring scouts were held in the same year showing our progress and interest.

Our scouts contributed immensely at the ‘teacher-student strength’ exhibition organized by the Matale education department.

Through a large shramadana programme launched in 1992 we were able to clear a temple premises neglected very badly. Also during B. P. Day commemorate this senior scout T.V.Chaminda Niroshana was blessed with the President’s Scout award after a lapse of many years.

Ten of our scouts participated in exploration hike conducted annually by the Peradeniya university explorers’ club, and obtained the 3^rd Place at the Island level.

Our scouts conducted and exploration camp at the national Namal-Uyana at Galkiriyagama where the biggest forest and famous rose quarts of Asia are situated.

In the exploration contest of Peradeniya university in 1993 our scouts were placed 3^rd in the Island. Same year J.J.P. Dehigama memorial exploration was conducted by Kingswood college Kandy where we were placed 1^st in the Island bringing fame and glory to our college. In the B.P.Day held in the same year senior scout Chamil Vithanage received the President’s Scout award.

To the DESAI Jamboree held at Dharmaraja college Kandy in 1994, four of our scouts participated. At the District Rally held at Bowathanna electricity board ground our scout troop became first in the rally and won the F.G. Stevenson challenge trophy showing the remarkable progress our scout troop has made. In this rally senior scout Mudith Dissanayake received President’s scout award and junior scout Malaka Gunawardena was receive junior cord.

At the B.P. Day in 1995, senior scouts D.B. Jayasundara and S.S.B. Rathnayake received President’s scout award when Asanka Vimalasiri anr D.A.B. Wijerathne received Junior cord. Friend-ship exploration competition organized and conducted by the college scout troop with the participation of seven scout groups. A large scale Blood donation programme and community services were conducted at Kohombiliwela boy’s home and Koswana school for deaf and dumb children. In the District Rally held at the Maddabeddha M.V. Our scouts won the 1^st Place at this rally senior scouts K.T.D.Wasalage, D.D.A.B. Karunarathne, R.L. Dayawansha, M.N.B. Kumaragama and M.P.K. Malwaththage received President’s scout awards bringing fame to the college.

At the college colours nite President’s scout D.B. Jayasundara, K.T.D. Wasalage, D.D.A.B. Karunarathne, R.L. Dayawansha, M.N.B. Kumaragama and M.P.K. Malwaththage received colours and Rising Sun awards. Also ten of our senior scouts took port in 4 day exploration hike tracing the Knuckles reserve.

To the Peradeniya university exploration hike in 1996, 10 of our scouts participated. At the college colours nite in 1996 President’s scout Malaka Gunawardene and C.K. Abeywardena received colours and Rising Sun award.

Our scouts were capable of holding a massive Blood donation programme successfully in 1997. Keeping a step further we were able to get the participation of District scouts and Girl-Guides of Matale and enhance the scouts gather more information and knowledge.

To the District scout Rally held at Sigiriya in 1997 our scout participated and obtained the 1^st Place. On that occasion our senior scouts D.D.M. Gunawardena, C.K. Abeywardena and D.K. Hennayake received the President’s scout award.

At the college colours nite in 1997 President’s scout D.K. Hennayake received colours and Rising Sun award. In this year also our scouts participated in the Peradeniya university exploration hike.

We commemorate era under the leadership of Priyantha Thennakoon since 1986 as a Golden era when the college was blessed with victory of fame.

Through the ‘PIONEER CAMP’ 1997 organized at all island level we were able to promote peace, unity and friendship.

Under the name ‘FLAMES FOR THE MILLENNIUM’ we were able hold fire works programme in 1999 with the participation of scouts of Matale district, when D.D.K. Bandaranayake received the President’s scout award.

In 2000, our presidents’ scouts Anjana Daladawatta, Danesh Karunathilake, Chamara Warusawithana, Troop Leader Priyantha Thennakoon, Assistant Leader Deeptha Hennayake and Jinath Pandigamage were participate to the overseas Jamboree in Chennai , India.

To the Rajans Millennium Jamboree held at Dharmaraja college Kandy in 2000 we presented a group of scouts. In that Anjana Daladawatta received the President’s scout award. Also the scout C.P.Subasinghe won district commissioner cord.

Keeping a step further to the annual exploration competition 2001 was held as the P.B.L. Leelawansha memorial exploration competition with participation of the central provincial scouts and girl guides.

In 2001 eight of our scouts participated to the Sampath Ranawake memorial challenge trophy who organized by Maliyadeva college, Kurunagala was place 1^st. On that occasion the best hiker being our senior scout M.S. Semasinghe.

In 2002 the annual exploration competition was held as the “Anjana Daladawatta memorial exploration competition” at the Island wide basics which was a very successful one.

In the District Scout Rally held at the Christ Church College, Matale the same year, our scouts exhibited their capabilities. Amal Somaweera, Chamara Warusawithana, N.B. Ellepola, M.S.S. Bandara, R.S.U. Kumara, D. Karunathilake and A. Somarathne scouts of our troop won the President’s scout award. All these scouts and M.S. Semasinghe received the Rising sun award in 2003 at the college colours nite.

30 of our scouts participated in the “RAJANS’ JIM – 2003”, held at Dharmaraja College Kandy. When our senior scout G.P. Nithulgaspitiya, C.P. Subasinghe, M.S. Semasinghe received the Presidents’ award. In 2003 also the “Anjana Daladawatta Memorial Exploration Competition” was held at island level successfully.

In 2004 also a group of our scout troop took part at the Sampath Ranawake Memorial Trophy Exploration competition competition conducted by the Kurunagala Maliyadeva M.V. At this senior scout J.B. Wijesinhe won the Best Explorer bring glory to our college.

Hoping to conduct the “Anjana Daladawatta Memorial Exploration competition” in 2004 also, we anticipate to embrace the health, environment and peace, happiness and friend-ship among the scouts and while country at large.