Peace Ambassadors of all communities promote Lankan image in Sweden

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Peace Ambassadors of all communities promote Lankan image in Sweden
Sri Lankan scout contingent attending the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden make use of their ten day World Jamboree to promote the image of the country as a destination for lovers of wild life, eco tourism and site seeing in the midst of a people with friendly and hospitality atmosphere.
The Jamboree organizers have set up a special exhibition centre for the countries to show case the image of participating countries. The122 member entire Sri Lankan contingent took time off headed by the contingent leader Janaprith Fernando to present the Sri Lankan image to other nations.
During this summer 38,000 scouts with over 1000 of their adult leaders have camped up at Rinkaby in Kristianstad Municipality area in the southern tip of Sweden bordering Denmark. Businessmen, hoteliers and entrepreneurs and others were among the large gathering invited for this special exhibition.
The camp programs apart from the relevant field works confined to scout, has been based on main three concepts; meeting, nature and solidarity.
Visitors to Sri Lankan exhibition site were presented with promotional kit of the Sri Lanka tourist board containing the details about Sri Lanka in print and electronic format.
Journalists, entrepreneurs and university students showed keen interest in knowing the recent developments that took place in the country since President Mahinda Rajapaksa became the President in 2006.
The Sri Lankan contingent leader Attorney- at -Law Janaprith Fernando supported by his deputy Prabath Kulathunga took every effort to explain the enthusiastic international community about the peace created in Sri Lanka. He said that priority is given by the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to rebuild the infrastructures that were devastated in the long drawn conflict while fast tracking the livelihood projects to help people in the affected areas to recommence their day to day activity.
On asked about people being displaced especially by academics and University students, it was explained that around 300,000 people who were displaced in the north and the east of Sri Lanka have already been resettled in their places of origins. The only exception was a few thousands still awaiting the resettlement till the demining process is over. They acknowledged the fact of demining as they were aware of the Danish support and the involvement of Swedish in the ongoing de mining process.
"The citizens in north for the first time in last 30 years were able to exercise their birth right of franchise in the recently concluded local government elections where a party opposed to the government has been able to secure the support of the voters to run their Municipalities and the sub offices" explained Mr Ferndo
It was noted that many of the participants especially who represent the Scandinavian countries inclusive of young journalists were not fully aware of the recent situation in the country.
Mr. Fernando said that it was a great opportunity for group like Scout contingent to promote the Sri Lankan image in one voice. The participants were seen convinced very much as the Sri Lankan contingent that shows cased its image comprised people from all three major communities in the country.
The World Scout Jamborees the premier scouting event in the scouting movement and takes place every four years. The event can be compared to the Olympic Games given the number of participants and it covers the area of 800 soccer field wide where 43,500 square meters of tents have been built.