Troop Profile – Prep Scouts

Week by week, our volunteers empower young people to learn new skills, make new friends and stand on their own two feet. They’re our everyday heroes. They shape young people’s lives for the better, and find out a whole lot about themselves in the process, too.

Patron of 39th Colombo Scout Group

Reverend Nihal Fernando

Father Nihal was appointed as the Headmaster of S. Thomas’ Preparatory School in 2020 and the current patron of 39^th Colombo Scout Group. Rev Fernando previously served as Headmaster of STC Gurutalawa between 2012 – 2017.

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Group Scout Leader

Yvonne Charles

Miss Yvonne Charles or commonly known as Miss Yvonne is an old girl of Methodist College Colombo. She joined S. Thomas Preparatory School in 1993 as an English Teacher straight after completing Advanced Level Examination and currently the middle school sectional head which she was appointed in 2016.

Miss Yvonne completed Phase I Leaders Program from Cub Scout section in 1993 and became a warranted Cub Scout Leader in 1994 after completion of Phase II Leader Program held in St. Benedicts College.

She was appointed as the Cub coordinating leader for 39th Colombo Cub Pack in 2002. Mrs. Geetha Perera who was one of the Asst. Chief Commissioners in Cub Scouting and Mrs. Charika Muthiah inspired her to do Cub Scouting.

“Cub Scouting is a fun based activity which you learn Life Skills for Life; Making your own sandwich, planting, sewing a button and fundamentals for team spirit are life learned being a Cub Scout.”

Miss Yvonne joined the 39th Colombo Scout Group as the Coordinating leader in 2011.

She joined the Colombo District team as a district leader in 2013, When Mr. Riza Azoor was the District Commissioner, Yvonne was appointed as the Assistant District Commissioner for Cub Scouts and was assisting the District as the Cub Coordinating Leader from 2015 to 2020.

Joining and planning workshops for both Cub Scouts and Akelas, being in the organizing team for Cuborees, leading and training for CMP Wanigathunga competition which is to choose the best Cub Pack in the Colombo District and guiding Cub Scouts to achieve Gold Star award which is the highest award in Cub Scouting have been Miss Yvonne’s spirit.

Miss Yvonne has 27+ Years of service in teaching as an English Trained Teacher and 27+ years of service in Cub Scouting. She is pursuing a teaching course in Open University in Sri Lanka.

She became the Group Scout Leader of 39th Colombo Scout Group in 2019 and is guiding Scouts to keep the Scouting spirit going.

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Scout Leader

Ravindu Huladduwa

Mr. Ravindu started Scouting as a Cub Scout and joined S. Thomas Preparatory School as a trained English, Literature teacher in 2017.

Being the Master-in-charge of Scouting, Mr. Ravindu has completed Phase II Scout Leader training and is currently a Warrented Scout Leader of 39th Colombo Scout Group. Mr. Ravindu is passionate about Scouting and believes that the skills learned and the friends made will be life long benefit, just as he has benefited. He is committed to moving 39th Colombo Scout Group forward and to provide the drive to “Traditions continue”

Mr. Ravindu has mastered his skills of teaching English Language and Literature with the four year experience in school as well as the training and the knowledge he gathered from his post graduate diploma. He is also engaged with other extra-curricular activities such as English Drama and Interacting.

Mr. Ravindu believes a quality Scout is produced once they undergo the proper training and proper guidance and he thrives to work on it.

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Group Advisor

Suren Wickramathilake

Mr. Suren joined the 39th Colombo Scout Troop of S. Thomas Preparatory School in January 1972 and participated in the Troop Cmaps at Pedro Training Center in 1972, Gemunu Vidyalaya in Matara in 1973, Colombo Camporees held at Vihara Maha Devi Park in 1972 & 1973.

Appointed as the Patrol Leader of Sambhur Patrol in 1973 at 39th Colombo, Mr Suren joined 16th Colombo Scout Group in 1974. He was later appointed as the Patrol Leader of Kingfisher Patrol in 1975 where he was awarded the Green Cord (Highest Award for Junior Scouting) in 1975. He was part of the Mayor’s Flag Competition in 1975, a competition to choose the best Scout Group in the Colombo District.

Mr Suren was awarded the President’s Scout Award (The highest award in Scouting) in 1978 from 39th Colombo, becoming the first President Scout at 39th Colombo. He was appointed as an instructor in 1979 and the Assistant Scout Leader in 1980 at 16th Colombo. Later he was appointed as an instructor of 39th Colombo in 1987 -1985, 1988-1991. He serves 39th Colombo Scout Group as a Group Advisor and as Acting Scout Leader from 2005 to date.

Mr. Suren is was a member of the Executive Committee of the Colombo District Scout Association from 2002-2004 and was appointed as a Life Member of the Scout Council of the Sri Lanka Scout Association in 2004. He was a member of he organizing committee for the National Jamborees in Nuwara Eliya in 2006, Centenary Jamboree of Colombo District Madampe in 2014 and Jaffna Jamboree in 2016. He was also a member of the Contingent Management Team for the Sri Lankan Contingent for the World Jamboree in West Virginia USA 2019.

Mr. Suren was appointed as an Assistant District Commissioner of the Colombo District in 2006 and was appointed as the District Commissioner of the Colombo District in 2015-2020. He was awarded the Wood Badge in 2016 was awarded the Service Medal by the Sri Lanka Scout Association in 2017.

Mr Suren has rendered 50 service years in Scouting.

“Scouting is not restricted to the days you have Troop meetings. It becomes a way of life, and you need to put in to practice all that scouting teaches and experiences gained in making your childhood and adult life meaningful to you. You must have a positive impact on your family and those you come in to contact in everyday life. Keep in mind the Scout Promise you take ‘To Help other people at all times and to obey the Scout Law'”

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Group Advisor

Sujiv Fonseka

Sujiv joined 39th Colombo as a Cub Scout in 1994 and Scouting in 1997. He was one hard-working Scout among all the Patrols.

Despite his age, Sujiv was in the Colombo Camporee organizing committee while being a Senior Scout under the guidance of Mr. Rohan Weerasekara (Scout Leader of Golden Troop in 42^nd Colombo). That year the entire camporee was coordinated by the Senior Scouts in the Colombo District, a massive accomplishement.

He completed his President’s award in 2004 and re-joined to assist the troop in 2011 as Scout Leader and a Group Advisor. Sujiv was also the Treasurer of the EXCO. During his college life, Sujiv was a Heavy metal drummer at Tantrum. Tantrum was a heavy metal band based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, originally formed in 2002. The band was one of the early pioneers among the first wave of “new millennium” heavy metal bands in Sri Lanka when the genre saw a rise in popularity in the country after the year 2000.

Sujiv is currently a Group Advisor being one of the group assets, the 39th Colombo ever got. Checkout the article Sujiv contributed to the 80^th Anniversary School History book published in the year 2020 to preserve school history and Scouting history.

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Asst. Scout Leader

Tithira Jayasekera

Tithira joined the 39th Colombo Scout Troop in 2009 as a Junior Scout and was the PLC Chairman in 2013. Tithira continued Scouting at 16th Colombo Scout Group and was the Asst. Troop Leader in 2015. He completed his President’s Scout Award in 2015 and re-joined to assist the troop in late august of 2016.

Tithira organized Sports Gala from Patrol Leader’s Chariman Forum in 2013 and represented Scout body for Youth For Human Rights International Summit in 2014. He was part of the Mayor’s Flag Competition came up as runner’s up refreshing history in 2012.

Tithira was warranted as a Scout Master in 2018 and currently acts as a Phase IV Scout Leader.

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Asst. Scout Leader

Hashmitha Fernando

Hashmitha joined the 39th Colombo Scout Group as a Cub Scout and joined the Scout Troop in 2009 as a Junior Scout and was the Asst. Troop Leader in 2014. Hashmitha was an all-rounder and was an active rugerite. He continued Scouting at 16th Colombo Scout Group and was the Asst. Troop Leader in 2016. He completed his President’s Scout Award in 2016 and re-joined to assist the troop in late august of 2017.

Hashmitha was elected as a committee member for Colombo Scout Youth Forum (CSYF) and was elected to Sri Lanka Scout Youth Forum from Patrol Leader’s Chariman Forum in 2016. He was an instructor of the refreshing Mayor’s Flag Winner’s Team in 2016 refreshing troop history after 1993.

Hashmitha was warranted as a Asst. Scout Leader in 2021 and currently acts as a Asst. Scout Leader overseas.

Asst. Scout Leader

Nithieskanna Sivaraj

Nithies joined the 39th Colombo Scout Group as a Cub Scout and joined the Scout Troop in 2010 as a Junior Scout and was the Troop Leader in 2015. Nithies is a warranted Asst. Scout leader since 2021 and currently acts as an active Asst. Scout Leader.

Asst. Scout Leader

Vivek Subendran

Vivek joined the 39th Colombo Scout Group as a Cub Scout and joined the Scout Troop in 2010 as a Junior Scout. He is a warranted Asst. Scout leader since 2021 and currently acts as an Asst. Scout Leader overseas.

Asst. Scout Leader

Akhila Ranawake

Akhila joined the 39th Colombo Scout Group as a Cub Scout and joined the Scout Troop in 2011 as a Junior Scout and was the Troop Leader in 2016. Akhila is a President Scout of 39th Colombo Scout Troop and is a warranted Asst. Scout leader since 2021 and currently acts as an active Asst. Scout Leader.

Asst. Scout Leader

Nandun Thotawatte

Nandun joined the 39th Colombo Scout Group as a Cub Scout and joined the Scout Troop in 2011 as a Junior Scout and a President Scout of 39th Colombo Scout Troop. He is a warranted Asst. Scout leader since 2021 and currently acts as an active Asst. Scout Leader.

Cheetah Patrol Leader

Yukkhapriyan Niranchan

Kingfisher Patrol Leader

Sudheepshon Ganendran

Peacock Patrol Leader

Adchayan Rajadurai

Raven Patrol Leader

Sassvinth Ahinaath

Squirrel Patrol Leader

Saileshon Devanand

Wolf Patrol Leader

Ovindu Navaratne

Woodpecker Patrol Leader

Thenu Senadheera

GROUP ADVISOR | FORMER PATRON

Reverend Dushantha Rodrigo

Father Dushi received his primary and secondary education at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. He later joined the Theological College of Lanka. He holds a PgD in Counselling and Psychosocial Support from the University of Colombo, and a MA in Development Studies from the Open University of Sri Lanka.

He also served as a chaplain at several schools, such as; S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa 1995 – 1999, Bishop’s College, Colombo 2008 – 2011, S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia (He also served as the acting warden) 2011.

Father Dushi was later appointed the Headmaster of S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, from 2015-2021. He is the 16th and current Anglican Bishop of Colombo

Father Dushi is the former Patron of 39th Colombo and thankful to him, the official website and the webportal of 39th Colombo Scout Group became a reality.