28/08/2025
Dharmaraja College, who made Ceylon/Sri Lanka shine in the World of Scouting a hundred years ago!
By Anil Ellepola
1st Kandy Dharmaraja College Scout troop was started in 1913 by Mr.J.H.de Saram who later became Chief Commissioner of Ceylon, during Principal K.F.Billimoria, soon after the first troop in Ceylon was started at Christ Church College Matale in 1912 by F.G. Stevens 1st Colonial Commissioner.
It did not take long for Dharmaraja to bring international fame to Ceylon by producing the highest number of King’s Scouts in the world and winning the King’s flag in 1917. They proved it was no fluke when the feat was repeated in 1918! And how spectacular it was, repeating the same triumph in 1919!
The King’s Flag presentation ceremony by the Governor General took that took place at the Galle Face Green is reported vividly in the 1921 College Weekly “Telescope”;
Quote:
“His Excellency the Governor arrived at Galle Face Green sharp at 5.30 p-m and was received by the Deputy Colonial Commissioner. Besides the Guard - of Honour drawn from the King’s Troop and the Governor’s Own, not a single Scout was seen on the grounds. It appeared as if there was no scout parade at all. But a note of the bugle proved it otherwise. Another note, and what a howl! The beach with waving banners and ear-splitting cries. The Cats tried to howl down the hounds; the Tigers vied with the Lions; the C***s were not beaten by the Elephants and even the tame Doves made themselves felt. The bugle sounded again and perfect silence reigned. In front stood the tiny cubs. Then there was a line of the King’s Scouts of Dharmaraja and behind them the other troops were drawn up in the form of the spokes of a wheel, each troop behind its leader. Then the Cubs gave their musical grand howl to the Chief Scout of Ceylon, the Scouts saluted, and the band stuck up ‘Rule Britania! ‘His Excellency received the salute and went round inspecting the troops. After the inspection came the presentation. The King’s Scoutmasters took the Flag Party consisting of three scouts to the saluting base. The Flag was then handed over to the kneeling Scout. The whole parade came to the salute, as it was raised high to be seen by all. The two Scoutmasters were then called up and the King’s Scoutmasters badges were presented to them. His Excellency congratulated them on the work they had done to secure this trophy three times in succession. Another note on the bugle and another rush! The Scouts were ready for the address from their Chief Scout. After this address three cheers were called for His Majesty the King and three more for the Governor, the Chief Scout of Ceylon. It was a remarkable sight indeed! Hundreds of Scouts had their hats on staves rising and falling with each cheer. His Excellency then inspected the Guard of -Honour.
No event so important as the presentation of the King’s Flag occurs in the history of the College Scouting that was the last time the College competed. The Principal and the Scoutmasters decided that the College should keep out of the competition for some years to come.
Scouting in the year, 1921, is summed up by the Editor of the ‘Telescope’.”
Unquote:
Little would the young William Dullewe Gopallawa—then a King’s Scout—have imagined that one day he would rise to become the Governor General of Ceylon, personally presenting the Queen’s Scout Awards.
Among the ranks of this distinguished troop were several other notable figures:
• A.B. Rambukwella, the first King’s Scout in Ceylon.
• S.J.B. Dharmakirti, who went on to become a Scout Commissioner in Matale while practicing law.
• K.B. Alahakoon, who later served as a Commissioner in Colombo.
The pinnacle of honour for the troop came in 1920, when none other than Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the worldwide Scout Movement, visited Dharmaraja College. He was welcomed at the Kandy Railway Station by the College Scoutmaster, Mr. J.H. de Saram.
Supporting this growing movement, several congratulatory letters were received by the college:
• From D. Francis Morgan, dated 5th May 1919.
• From C.S. Vaughan of the Boy Scouts Association, London.
• From Mr. W.A. de Silva, General Manager of Buddhist Schools, who wrote to Principal K.F. Billimoria on 10th June 1919.
Today, the 54-acre Lake View Estate named Dharmaraja Hill by Sir Anton Bertram Chief Justice, proudly hosts the Lake View Scouts Park at its summit—an iconic location for Scout camps attended by youth from all over the island.
Photographs:
1. Lord Baden-Powell with Dharmaraja Scouts
2. Lord Baden-Powell being received at the Kandy Railway Station by College Scoutmaster J.H. de Saram
3. The presentation of the King’s Flag at Galle Face
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