St John Sri Lanka
The St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade of Sri Lanka is a charitable organisation providing healthcare services to the Sri Lankan public. Its members also perform voluntary first aid coverage duties during national events.
The headquarters is located at 65/11, Sir Chittampalam A.Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 02.
History
St. John Ambulance was established in Ceylon in 1906. The National St. John Council was formed in 1967 to govern St. John's activities in Sri Lanka. St. John Sri Lanka has some 50,000 volunteers.Former Chief Commanders
- Dr. Sarath Samarage
- Dr.Palitha Abeykoon
- Dr. D.W.Weerasuriya
- Dr.J.G.Jayatilake
- Brig.Dr.H.I.K.Fernando
- G.A.Piyadasa
Activities
- First aid training
- Disaster preparedness
- Relief work
- Occupational health & safety
- First-aid in schools
- Public duties - festivals, cricket tests
- Community based nutrition projects
Cadet Movement
St John Ambulance in Sri Lanka largely consists of cadet members - i.e. secondary school students who joined St John as their Co-curricular activity. Currently, various schools are as follows:; Colombo
- Royal College, Colombo
- Hindu College, Colombo
- Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa
- St. Anthony's College, Kandy
- St. Benedict's College
- Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 10
- St. Anthony's Tamil Maha Vidiyalayam, Colombo 14
- Mutuwal Hindu College, Colombo 15
- Zahira College Maradana, Colombo 10
; Nuwara Eliya
; Kandy
- Zahira College, Gampola
- St.Mary's College, Nawalapitiya
Awards and Commendations
Officers and Members of the Brigade are eligible for the following Awards and Commendations:Local Awards
- 5 Years First Aid Efficiency Medal
- Commendation Medal
International (Order) Awards
- Service Medal of the Order of St John
- Bar to the Service Medal
- Gilt Laurel Leaf
- Admission to the Venerable Order of Saint John
- * Serving Brother / Serving Sister '
- * Officer Brother / Officer Sister '
- * Commander Brother / Commander Sister '
- * Knight / Dame of Grace , note that this does not entitle the holder to Sir' ''
The highest grade in the Order, GCStJ is limited only to the Great Officers of the Order and 21 other individuals. The lowest grade in the Order, Esq StJ is for Personal Esquires for KStJ and above who probably play a role similar to that of an Aide-de-Camp.