An outdoor exercise code named ‘Kontiki’ was successfully undertaken from 08 Jul 19 to 10 Jul 19 in the general areas of Avissawella and Kitulgala by Naval student officers of DSCSC course number 13. The term ‘Kontiki’ expedition dates back to 1947 when a Norwegian explorer called Thor Heyrdahl undertook an expedition from South America to Polynesian island with a raft made of Basla wood. Emulating similar experiences, the Naval student officers too annually conduct a Riverine expedition along the Kelani River at aforementioned general area in a smaller scale. The perceived objectives of Ex Kontiki are as follows.

a. To develop leadership and team spirit among student officers.

b. To develop professionalism of student officers to handle RFD’s in Inland waters.

c. To acquaint with practical experiences of white water rafting.

d. To design and construct indigenous rafts to navigate in Inland waters

e. To develop knowledge / skills on riverine operations

f. To develop organizing ability of large scale recreational / social events.

The rafts earmarked for this expedition were designed and constructed by student officers divided in to three different syndicates.

The riverine rafting expedition was conducted on 08 Jul 19 along the Kelani River having a distance of 14 Km from Kudagama to Akaravita. Student officers were afforded the opportunity to navigate their rafts along Kelani River by overcoming hazards along the tricky route.

It took six hours of eventful time to complete the whole journey of rafting expedition by the Naval student officers.

Leadership and team building activities were conducted on 09 July 19 at the Action Park, Akaravita.

White water rafting got underway at Kitulgala on 10 Jul 19.

River crossing, caterpillar walk, passing the ball and aerial rope crossing were some of the skills development and team building disciplines took place on this day.

At the termination of Ex-Kontiki, a gala social evening was hosted by Naval wing on 10^th evening in attendance the Commandant DSCSC Maj Gen DAPN Dematanpitiya ndu, psc and senior military officials of DSCSC.