Trinity College proudly announces Kaveen Senanayake as the new troop leader of its historic scout troop, established in 1914. Kaveen, who began his scouting journey in 2014 as a cub scout, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout his scouting career. He has served as a patrol leader and now ascends to the esteemed position of troop leader. Kaveen is also awarded as the second Prime Minister Scout of Trinity, highlighting his outstanding skills and commitment to scouting principles. His leadership was pivotal when he led the senior scout troop to the 10th National Jamboree, a major event held after an eight-year gap, showcasing his organizational skills and charismatic personality. As troop leader, Kaveen encourages unity, adventure, and service, upholding the scouting excellence of Trinity College. The entire community congratulates him on this accomplishment.
In 2024, there was a lot of excitement among the scouts of Sri Lanka as they looked forward to the 10th National Scout Jamboree, which was happening after 8 years. This event brings together all the scouts from across Sri Lanka to one camp. This lively quadrennial event is a significant milestone in a scout’s life and happens every four years. The senior scout troop, led by Troop Leader Mast. Kaveen Senanayake, with 25 members representing the 17th Kandy Trinity College Scout Troop, was lucky to be part of this special experience. On February 20th, we arrived at school at 3:30 am and departed by bus at 4:30 am for the Sri Koneshwara Hindu College Grounds in Trincomalee. After a brief rest at Kanthale Lake Bund, we continued our journey. By 10:15 am, we reached the campsite and started setting up our tents. On the 21st of February, the second day of the Jamboree commenced with an 8:00 am inspection for cleanliness and smartness, followed by the opening ceremony at 9:30 am with the chief guest, President Ranil Wickramasinghe. At 3:30 pm, the ‘Friendship Wide Game’ took place at sub camp level. By 6:30 pm, the Sri Lanka Army entertained the scouts with a cultural show, while at 9:30 pm, the Jamboree Ground was filled with joy and excitement thanks to an unforgettable musical performance by the Sri Lanka Navy. On the 22nd of February, the third day of the camp, kicked off with a 6:30 am Road Race, followed by a daily rally from the 22nd to the 25th at 8:30 am. At 9:30 am, the daily Jamboree activities commenced. Later, at 5:00 pm, a kite festival, followed by the BP Day Ceremony at 6:00 pm, celebrated the founder of the Scouting Movement, Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell. The Jamboree Ground was illuminated with Vesak Buckets lit by scouts as a tribute to Lord Baden Powell. The 23rd of February, the fourth day of the Jamboree, known as Cultural Day, followed the usual routine with the Rally and Jamboree activities. At 7:00 pm, the Sub Campfire showcased the aesthetic talents of young scouts, with our troop leader representing the Kandy district lighting the campfire. Saturday, 24th of February, began with the usual morning routine, followed by additional Jamboree activities at 2:00 pm, organized by the committee to provide valuable knowledge and life skills. At 7:00 pm, the International and National Cultural Shows delighted us with vibrant displays of various cultures from countries like Maldives, India, Thailand, South Korea, USA, Australia, and England. On February 25th, after the usual morning routine, the “Piyawara – Green World” Community Development Project took place at 9:30 am. The closing ceremony occurred at 5:30 pm, followed by an open-air display marking the official conclusion of the Jamboree by 7:00 pm. Our scout troop celebrated the last day with hours of joyful singing. On the 7th and the last day of the Jamboree, the 26th of February, a campsite inspection was held and everybody departed from the Jamboree Grounds by 12.30 pm taking back unforgettable memories to last a lifetime. On the way back to school, we had the opportunity to visit a Navy camp and observe all the naval equipment at the Naval Museum. Then, we went on a boat ride within the harbor, organized by the Sri Lankan Navy. Written by Theshan RathnayakeReviewed by Kaveen Senanayake (TL)
The 17th Kandy Trinity College Scouts Troop organized and held AVENTURA ’23 , the inaugural inter – house competition hike, which took place at the Dunumadalawa Forest reserve on the 7th of January, 2023. Five observation teams from the junior houses and five challenger teams from the senior houses took part in the hike. Each team consisted of 8 members. The participants departed from school at 7.30 a.m via the college bus and arrived at the Dunumadalawa forest reserve. The observation teams started their trek at 8.30 a.m while the challenge teams took on the route later. There were several checkpoints along the route, ranging from general knowledge to vertical rope climbing, which the participants took on with youthful vigor and enthusiasm. The hikers eventually returned back to the starting point and concluded the journey at around 12.30 p.m. After a fun and quite muddy trek through the jungle, the participants had a refreshing wash and changed into a fresh pair of clothes. Then, we bid farewell to the forest and headed back to school by the college bus. After reaching the school at about 2.00 p.m in the evening, all the participants and the scouts dispersed merrily. A special thanks goes to the Principal Rev. Fr Araliya Jayasundara OSB, the Vice Principal, Mr. Krishanthan Antonydas, Scout Master, Mr. Prabath Gunaratne and the members of the staff. Review by Anuja Jayaweera Event Photographed by the Trinity College Media Unit
Ignition ‘22 organized by the 17th Kandy Trinity College Scout Group was held at the Junior School Grounds on the 5th of February 2022 in commemoration of the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the College. Initial planning for the event kick started in early January with a set date and place. The Senior Scout Troop led by the Troop Leader, Mas. Kulith Jayakody, was the driving force behind the event and the Rover Scout Crew providing assistance wherever and whenever needed with the Scout Master Mr. A.P. Navarathne and the Rover Scout Master Mr. D.H.M.R.P. Tammita guiding us and supervising us throughout. Extensive preparations began in mid-January with all sections coming in to play. The fortnight before the big day was hectic especially for the seniors with drama practices, decorations, souvenir production, site development and food preparations while the Cub Pack guided by the Akelas was rehearsing the Grand Yell and the Junior Scouts busy focusing on their performances. On the day of the event the senior scouts assembled in the morning and applied the final touches. As sun down approached the handmade fire torches lit up the Junior School Ground. Scouts, guests, parents and well-wishers gathered around camp fire. The event was graced by our Chief Guest, the Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB, the Vice Principal Mr. Krishanthan Antonydas, the Co-Vice Principal and Group Scout Master Mr. Ananda Marasinghe, the District Scout Commissioner Mr. Kapila Priyantha, the Headquarters Commissioner Mr. Sarath Bandara and other invited dignitaries. By 6.45 the fire was lit and so began the highly anticipated campfire. Mr. Ravindra Tammita, our Rover Scout Master, coordinated the highly entertaining campfire and kept the spark alive from the very beginning. All sections of our scout group as well as the invited schools, Hillwood College, Dharmaraja College, Kingswood College and Vidyartha College, presented their dramas and entertainment items most of which had a rather interesting twist. A song and a yell followed every drama keeping the audience involved. The Rovers and the Seniors jumped into the performing circle from time to time with their stunts and rib tickling stories. As the event drew to a conclusion after more than 2 hours as the red hot embers began dropping off, the high ranking seniors joined the campfire chief to deliver “Taps” to ceremonially end the campfire following which Mr. Marasinghe, our Group Scout Master addressed the gathering. With that the event was officially declared over. “Day is done, gone the sun,From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.” Be Prepared. Reviewed By Gesith Epa,The Quarter Master.
The Journey Through Nature (JTN) is a hike through a forest organized by the Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts of the College. This event takes place every four years, and this year it was held at Victoria Park, Digana on the 29th of February 2020. Junior Scouts and Cub Scouts also came along as they will have to organize this event in four years time. Girl Guides and Scouts from many schools round the country participated in this event. Some schools that participated were: Vidyaloka Vidyalaya and Rippon Balika Vidyalaya from Galle; Maliyadeva Girls’ College and Maliyadeva Boys College from Kurunegala; Kingswood College, Dharmaraja College, Gateway College, Mahamaya Girls’ College, Hillwood College, Girls’ High School, and Vidhartha College from Kandy; Ferguson High School from Ratnapura; St. Joseph’s Balika Vidyalaya from Kegalle; and Thurstan College and Ananda College from Colombo. The Senior Scouts collected sponsors and raised money for the event, with the College also providing a financial support. All the scouts were taken to Digana by College transport and it was a bit of a squash in the bus and some children weren’t lucky enough to get a seat. As soon as we got there, we were divided into groups and the hike started! There were many checkpoints in the route and there were arrows to show us the way so that we wouldn’t get lost. We had climb up steep hills and go down slopes, we had to climb over rocky terrain and hold on to nearby plants to keep balance. We didn’t see the red arrows that were marked on rocks and we got lost a few times but organizer came to help us every time we got lost. The Junior Scouts travelled 10km, but the Senior Scouts had to go on even longer. After every group has completed the route, our lunch was provided. Then the teachers gave us some time to play before we headed back to the College. Again, it was a squash in the bus when we headed back. After we got back, the closing ceremony was held from 7 to 8pm. All our parents came and it was very grand. There were lights everywhere and the teachers and Scouts had created a huge poster and hung it up behind the curtain in the main hall. They introduced the winning schools as well, from the Girl Guides section, the winners were Ferguson High School, Ratnapura and runners-up were St. Joseph’s Balika Vidyalaya, Kegalle. From the Scouts section, the winners are Thurstan College,Colombo and runners-up are Maliyadeva Boys College, Kurunegala. Could this be the best scouting trip of the year?
The “Journey Through Nature” (JTN) Scout Exploration Competition was first organized in 2004, when Trinity commemorated the 90th year since the inauguration of its Scout Troop. Since then sequels of the event have been organized every leap year in 2008, 2012, 2016 and now for the 5th time 2020. The 5th edition is scheduled to be held at the usual Victoria Premises in Digana on the 29th of February 2020. The main aim of the hike is to develop scouting skills and knowledge in scouts and guides and give them an experience that they will not be able to get in other competition hikes. They will be tested on pioneering, scout craft, water activities, survival skills, general knowledge and most important of all, working as a team. The highest scoring teams from both the Scouts and the Girl Guides category will be awarded the coveted C.P. Jayawardane Memorial Shield. The Scouts of Trinity have prepared the 5th edition of JTN with much decorum and also combined it with the roots of Scouting, bringing a sense of adventure that is authentic to the 17th Legion. This JTN will take place at the usual venue, the breathtaking surroundings of the Victoria Golf Course in Digana, Kandy. The activities however will consist of lots of new items rarely found in competition hikes of this nature. If you are a Girl Guide or Scout in Sri Lanka, then “Be Prepared” for the revival of 17th Legion’s greatest adventure! Preview by Ravindra Tammita and Shihan Maharoof
The 17th Kandy Scout Troop took part in their first joint hike after an interval of two years – it was in 2017 and to Knuckles that the Junior and Senior troops had hiked together. The trek was organized by Mr A.P. Navarathne and the senior members of the troop. The senior scouts along with a batch of junior scouts participated in the one day climb, a group of rovers also took part. Located at the borders of the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, the Alagalla mountain range was a steep yet short trail of around 2 km. Its summit of 1140m (3740 ft) was a suitable ascent for all parties. The hikers were led by former Troop Leader and Scout Master, Mr Ravindra Tammita with the support of Mr Navaratne and Ms Anuththara Bandara. The team of around 40 scouts reached the peak in about four hours, with a few lectures on first aid, hiking and mapping having taken place. The most challenging section came at the end, where there was a steep boulder leading to the summit. The view from the top was breathtaking, with a view of many surrounding mountains such as Bible Rock, Devanagala, Ambuluwawa, Dolosbage, Knuckles and Hanthana mountain ranges. The experience was invaluable and memorable to all the participants; especially the juniors. The joint hike was the first event of 2019 of the troop but sadly among the last for the 2018 senior members, who’ll be leaving at the end of this term. Their tenure marked yet another eventful and productive year for Trinity scouting. Reviewed by Parinda Ratnayake
On the 11th of November 2018, a special Armistice Centenary Service was held at the College Chapel to remember and honour the Trinitians who served in WWI and in all other conflicts. The service commenced at 9.30am with an opening hymn “All my hope in God is founded” sung by the College Choir, this was followed by the welcoming and opening prayer by the chaplain, Rev. Sanath Madagamgoda. The Principal, Mr Andrew Fowler-Watt then recited the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. The poem speaks about McCrae’s preoccupation with death and how it stands as the transition between the struggle of life and the peace that follows. It is written from the point of view of the dead. It speaks of their sacrifice and serves as their command to the living to press on. Lt. Col. Leonard De Alwis (former Principal) was also invited to the occasion. He spoke about the “Men of Trinity in bravery and sacrifice” and about the determination that Trinitians had shown to serve the country as well as their school. Shortly after the chaplain’s sermon, the prayers of remembrance and intercession were performed by a fellow chorister. The chaplain dismissed the congregation to the quadrangle to witness the commemoration ceremony by the Cadet Band, Cadet Platoon, Senior Scouts, Junior Scouts and the Choir. Mr Ananda Marasinghe (Co-Vice Principal) read the names of the brave Trinitians who sacrificed their lives for the benefit of many others. Here we state the names of those who served in the Great War (1914-1918): PRO PACE MORTUI [trans. “Died for peace”] AIYADURAI R. CAMPBELL N.P. DE VOS H.A.E. DRIEBERG F. FORSTER H.G. GRIGSON RANKINE J.H. HAYDEN T. KENT C.F.H. LOOS J. MURRAY K. PARAMANANTHAN A. PERERA A.G.F. SCOTT-COATES P. SKIPP R. WELLS A.J. HI QUOQUE SERVIERUNT [trans. “They also served”] ALUWIHARE R. ANDARAWEWA P.A. ANDREW J. ARNDT. C ASCHE H.C.J. ASIRVADEM S. BARTHOLOMEUSZ J.W.S FRASER A.G. GARVIN H.E GOONERATNE C. GOONETILEKE .A GRIGSON RANKINE E. Y. GRIGSON RANKINE G.C. GUNASEKARA A.W. HALANGODE A.B. HENRY J.A.E HILL F. HOULDER A.C. JANSEN .R JONES R.L. MACDONALD R. MC GREGOR L.D. MARTIN O. MODDER V. MULGRUE G.R. ONDATJE R. PATE W.H. PAYNTER A.G. PAYNTER H.S. PELPOLA P.D. PEREIRA A.E. PERERA H.A. PILAPITIYA D.L. RENFREW J. ROBERTS .J ROBERTS W.H. RUDRA A. SAUNDERS P. SELVADURAI E.M. SENEVIRATNE D.B. SQUIRE E.C. STEWART R. THEIN P.E. THOMSON R.D. VAN DER POORTEN A. WAGISWERA W.D.K. WALMSLEY A.M. WEERAKDOY T. WEINMANN C.O. WHITE O. YOUNG C. The Principal and Lt. Col. Leonard De Alwis showed their respect by placing two poppy wreaths at the German Machine Gun. Then a member the Cadet Band played “The Last Post” to respect and honour those who had served. To conclude the ceremony, the Choir sang “O God, our help in ages past“, and the Cadet Band proceeded with the National Anthem. “As we commemorate the centenary year since the end of World War I, it is not to romanticize or glamorize war that we remember this fateful journey in the lives of men who sacrificed their lives for peace. It is merely to share with everyone, that these soldiers were mere schoolboys who suddenly became soldiers, suddenly became men and fought with great valour and distinction in that savage war as they went from the playing fields of Trinity to the killing fields of France.” Review by Kevin Tennekoon View the full album on our Flickr site!
The President’s Scouts Award ceremony for the years 2014 to 2018 was held at the Cooperative Institute at Polgolla, Kandy on 20th October 2018. The Senior Scout Troop of Trinity College, widely known as the 17th Kandy has been one of the very few troops in the entire island to succeed in producing President’s Scouts award winners annually. 18 Scouts from Trinity obtained their much-anticipated awards from His Excellency Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 2014 Daham de Silva 2015 Minura Samaranayake Ravisha Wettewe Kavindu Gunathunga Nidharshan Rajendran 2016 Mark Jayasinghe Shehan Dissanayake Chamuditha Ekanayake Akila Gunawardane 2017 Shihan Maharoof Rashoav Ravindran Sandaru Seneviratne 2018 Amri Fazlul Haritha Samarajeewa Pahan Fernando Chalien Hapugoda Aiyub Hibshy Hansala Nawaratne At the occasion, the Sri Lanka Scout Association presented a special award to the President in recognition of his contributions towards the Sri Lanka Scout Movement. The historic event of launching the official website of the Sri Lanka Scout Association was held in parallel to the event. The Scouts of Trinity have been consistent in proving that they practice and preach both their motto and promise, by being ever prepared to do their duty to their religion and country. In the case of Scouts who wear the navy blue scarf, what is equally important is serving and fulfilling their rightful responsibility of bringing glory to the 17th Legion and the School on the Hill. Picture credits to National Scout Media Unit and President’s Media Devision.
The young cubs scout recruits of Trinity College undertook their enrolment on the 5th July 2018 at the Junior School Hall. It was at the presence of Mr A.S. Marasinghe, Co-Vice Principal and Group Scout Leader of Trinity College and Mr. Indika Attanayake, a former Troop Leader and President Scout of Trinity College and a vibrant Scout Master in Washington. A tally of 72 students were enrolled from grade 3. It was a remarkable event and it marked a milestone in Trinity cubs scouting as it was the highest number of students which were enrolled from Grade 3 in the recent past. Enrolment is the becoming of cub scouts. It is when the World Membership badge and National Membership badge is awarded to the scout. This is a very important and one of the most graced occasions in Scouting. Presently functioning in the Junior School, Cub Scouting gives a basic understanding of life. This society creates a bright and simple understanding of our day-to-day life both theoretically and practically. This life experience is both fun and effective. Cub Scouts carve their memorable experiences in a personally maintained log book and put their knowledge in to practise by hiking, camping and other various activities. The young cubs who were enrolled would one day become the troop leaders and senior scouts running the 17th Kandy Trinity College Scout Troop. It is with these great tasks in mind that the Cubs Scout Troop function, and hope to achieve great heights in the time to come. Review by Lolonyo Rahula
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