Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association Celebrates 106 years of Excellence

Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA), the largest female youth movement in Sri Lanka marked 106 years of service to the nation on March 21, 2023. The 106th anniversary celebrations were held at National Headquarters in Colombo.

Guiding was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1917 by Miss Jennie Calverley, a young teacher from England who joined the school staff of Girls’ High school Kandy where the first Guide Company was formed.

In honour of her vision, the Jennie Calverley Green Oration was inaugurated in 2022 as part of the birthday celebrations of SLGGA. The 2nd JCG oration was delivered by Prof. Anoja Fernando, Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, University of Ruhuna and member of, UNESCO International Bioethics Committee. She is also the immediate past president of SLGGA.

Guiding was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1917 by Miss Jennie Calverley, a young teacher from England who joined the school staff of Girls’ High school Kandy where the first Guide Company was formed

To celebrate the occasion of its birthday, the association organized the Girl Guides Flag Day and the national event took place at the Presidential Secretariat on March 21. The President of SLGGA, Dr. Shanthi Wilson, Communications Commissioner and Guide leader, Branch for the Guides with disabilities presented the flag to the Hon. President. A Butterfly, a Little Friend, a Guide, a Ranger and a Guide from the Branch for the Guides with disabilities representing the association were present at this occasion.

As March 21 marks World Down Syndrome Day, an awareness session on the topic was organized. The commissioner, Branch for the differently abled, Ms. Sylvia Wijekoon delivered the address.

Further to this, the Sita Rajasuriya International Travel Fund was initiated on this occasion. The International Travel Fund was initiated to provide partial or total funding for selected international events which will benefit the Girl Guide Movement.