British Police help sought to trace missing scout

By Malik Gunatilleke

British Police assistance has been sought to help detect a young Sri Lankan boy who allegedly decamped at the World Scout Jamboree in England, Sri Lanka Scouts Association (SLSA) sources said. The seventeen year-old-scout from Akkaraipattu, left to attend the World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, with a delegation of Sri Lankan scouts led by Chief Scout Commissioner C. Batuwangala.

The Sri Lankan boy along with twelve others disappeared amidst the thousands which crowded the streets while the British Police suspect the youths were planning to stay in Britain illegally. Recent media reports which said another Sri Lankan scout also disappeared with the rest, were denied by the (SLSA).

SLSA Assistant Chief Commissioner M.S. Moheed told The Sunday Times the Scout Chief would be arriving in Sri Lanka today. Mr. Moheed said the SLSA District Commissioner for Ampara District had tried to contact the boy’s parents who failed to meet him.

The boy is said to have family members living in England which led them to believe that the disappearance was planned by his family.“We fear that the boy had planned to illegally settle in Britain while the parents may have been aware of his plan,” he said.