The first scout troop was started in June 1914 30 members as Mr. F.G. Pearce the Scout Master and Mr. A. Ginige the assistant. The same year on 30th October the first Scouts’ Commissioner Mr. F.G. Stevens came to the Mahinda College to inspect the Troop.

Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalaam’s Prize Day Speech (July 30th 1914)   

   For the realization of these ideas I advise you strongly to avail yourselves of the opportunities afford by the Scouts Crops which has been started by the zeal of your Vise-Principal Mr. Pearce and aim of which is to train boys to be useful to others .I can think of on movement so pregnant with   benefits to our rising generation and to country as this Scout Crops movement, with the world owes to general Baden Powell. Through it has been in force in Ceylon, I believe, for some years. I think this almost the first time it is been carried out properly on the line of the founder. It is not an excuse for swaggering as a soldier. A Scout not only learns obedience and discipline, But is clean in through, word and deed, Is a friend and helper and to all of every race, religion or cast and indeed to all living things. A scout trains himself, disciplines his mind and body, strengthens his character learns many hands pursuits, in order that may be a more useful member of the human race. We cannot be really useful unless we are self-controlled and observant. Every weak, ignorant, helpers, idle member of the human race is just like so much dead weight, which the rest of humanity has to pull along the way of evolution 

               

    THE MISSION OF SCOUTING

The purpose of the strategy is to implement the Mission. The adoption of the mission in 1999 was a major milestone for world Scouting. The mission and
The six challenges identified are essential to be addressed if our mission is to be achieved.
The mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people,
Through a value system based on the Scout promise and law, to Help
Build a better world where people are Self fulfilled as individuals and
Play a constructive role in society. This is achieved by:

1. Involving them throughout their formative years in a non- formal educational process.
2. Using a Specific method that makes each individual the principal agent of his her development as a Self reliant Supportive, responsible and committed person.
3. Assisting them to establish a value system based upon spiritual social and personal principles as expressed in the promise and law.

The six challenges
The six challenges, which were identified at the Durban conference and need to be addressed to achieve our mission, are:

Relevance: meeting the needs and aspirations of young people
• Complementary nature: focusing on the distinctive contribution scouting can make to the education of young people, particularly through the Scout method.
• Membership: reaching out to more young people.


       

THE VISION OF SCOUTING

The vision is positive, inspirational and sets the broad agenda for the long tern.
The vision for Scouting is:
As a global Movement making a real contribution to creating a better World.
We see Scouting entering its second century as an influential , value – based century
Educational movement focused on achieving its mission , involving young
People working together to develop their full potential, Supported by adults
Who are willing and able to carry out their educational role?
We see Scouting World –Wide as attracting and retaining more and more
Young people of both genders and coming from broader Segments of society. We see
Scouting as attracting to adults , Women and men , in all Cultures – a movement through
Which they can make a significant contribution to society by Working With young people
We see Scouting as a dynamic innovative movement with adequate resources Simpel. Structures and democratic decision making processes Where Organization, management and communication are effective at all levels.

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