The last salute for senior scout

George R.D.S.Samarasinghe

The funeral of Sri Lanka's most senior scout and former Assistant Scout Commissioner for Colombo, George R.D.S.Samarasinghe took place at the Dehiwala Cemetery yesterday.

He was 101 years old when he passed away early this week. Mr. Samarasinghe was also an honorary member of the Sri Lanka Queen's and President's Scout Guild.

Born on April 15, 1918, Mr. Samarasinghe was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia and Trinity College, Kandy. He joined the 15th Colombo scout group in 1918 at the age of 12.

In 1922 he was awarded King's Badge when he was in the 2nd Kandy Trinity Troupe. In 1933 Mr. Samarasinghe was awarded the highest award in scouting, the Wood Badge. He was also honoured as 'Silver Lion' by the Sri Lanka Scouts' Association.