Missing scout’s parents also missing

The parents of the Sri Lankan scout who allegedly decamped at the scout jamboree in Britain are also said to be missing from their residence in Akkaraipattu after Sri Lanka Scouts Association (SSLA) officials tried to contact them about their son’s disappearance.

The 17 year old scout who was a part of the 135 member contingent which left Sri Lanka to take part in the world famous World Scout Jamboree in Essex, allegedly ran away from the campsite four days after his arrival.

The SSLA which got in touch with the boy’s parents in Akkaraipattu suspected the parents of being involved in the disappearance as the father was reluctant to speak with the authorities about his son.

The suspicions were fuelled as the boy’s parents had also gone missing after the Scouts District Commissioner tried to update them on the investigation conducted by the Essex Police. SSLA Chief Commissioner C. Batuwangala who was in charge of the Sri Lankan contingent at the jamboree said the boy had attempted to get his passport from him on many occasions.

“He told me that he needed to change some money from the bank and would need his passport. However, I was aware that a passport was not required for that transaction so I refused,” he said. Mr. Batuwangala said that four days after their arrival, the boy entered his tent while he was away to retrieve his passport before being spotted by Assistant Chief Commissioner Shiraz Ali.
He said the scout managed to get away from the camp at that point and had not been found.

“We informed the local police about his disappearance but they said his visa was valid until October which leaves them with no authority to arrest him. However, the police took a statement from us for attempted theft,” he said. Mr. Batuwangala said the boy was in possession of a large sum of money which was in many currencies while he also had relatives living in Britain.

He said the boy was the only scout, recommended from the Eastern Province, to join the Sri Lankan contingent and the former District Commissioner who recommended the boy was distressed at the recent events. The SLSA tried to contact the boy’s parents on numerous occasions but were fruitless as they had left their home in Akkaraipattu. Mr. Batuwangala said the missing scout was a loner and had no friends among the rest of the Sri Lankan contingent and was never in contact with the others who disappeared.