Applications open for ‘Janashakthi National Civilian Bravery Award 2017’

From left: Janashakthi Insurance PLC Chief Executive Officer/Director Stuart Chapman, Janashakthi General Insurance Chief Executive Officer/Director Jude Fernando, Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka Founder/President Kasun P. Chandrarathne, Foundation for Civilian Bravery  Sri Lanka Vice President Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi, Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka Policy Board Member DIG Ajith Rohana – Pic by Lasantha Kumara

Janashakthi Insurance PLC, a leading insurance provider in Sri Lanka announced recently that it will continue its partnership with the Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka for the ‘Janashakthi National Civilian Bravery Award 2017’. 

This is the 23rd year this award, which recognises civilians who voluntarily risk their lives while saving or attempting to save others from peril, will be awarded. Recognising the importance of inculcating and promoting selflessness as a value in the community, Janashakthi Insurance PLC will be extending its support towards this initiative for the second consecutive year.

The announcement came in time with the Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka opening applications and inviting civilians from across the country to apply for or nominate fellow citizens for acts of bravery committed between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016. 

In the official statement, Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka Founder and President Kasun P. Chandraratne stated, “We are once again happy to welcome the support of one of Sri Lanka’s leading insurers, Janashakthi Insurance. With their valuable assistance, we will be able to recognise ordinary citizens who commit noble and extraordinary acts of valour to save the life of another. These ‘unsung heroes’ of Sri Lanka deserve to have their acts of bravery celebrated on a national platform as an example to others.  We invite you all to participate in this worthy endeavour by nominating either yourself or any individual who is applicable before 31 March.” 

Janashakthi Insurance PLC Managing Director Prakash Schaffter in the statement added, “At Janashakthi, we consider it a privilege to be able to partner an endeavour of this significance that is purely intended to pay tribute to selfless brave civilians in collaboration with the Foundation of Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka. Our nation’s heritage consists of many noble and fearless individuals who have performed commendable acts of bravery over the centuries, helping establish Sri Lanka as a great nation. As an Insurer with strong local roots with a mission to safeguard the lives of others, we believe that ‘Janashakthi National Civilian Bravery Awards’ is an ideal avenue for our organisation to help bring to light the remarkable acts of bravery conducted by ordinary citizens.”

The continued partnership and opening of the call for applications was marked by a press conference with the presence of Janashakthi General Insurance Ltd. Chief Executive Officer/Director Jude Fernando, Janashakthi Insurance PLC CEO/Director Stuart Chapman, Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka Founder/President Kasun P. Chandraratne, Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka Vice President Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi, and Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka Policy Board Member DIG Ajith Rohana.

Jude Fernando in his welcome address stated that this second year of partnership was following a very successful first year and called on the support of the print, electronic and digital media to help take this message to the public, to ensure the success of this initiative. Chandraratne speaking on the concept of acts of civilian bravery, also noted that that many past awardees are low income earners and took the opportunity to introduce the association for past awardees, who amount to approximately 350 in number, including its President and joint Secretaries. The ‘Sri Lanka Virujana Veeraththa Sangamaya’ works to link and support the awardees and is also a source of prestige and pride. DIG Ajith Rohana speaking at the event, mentioned the financial difficulties that the Foundation faced in carrying out the Awards over the years, amidst which Janashakthi came to the fore to support the initiative. DIG Rohana stressed the call for applications and stated that the police will provide maximum support towards this initiative, expressing plans to take the message to the village level through the approximately 486 police stations and 4,000 civil defence committees in the country.

Applications for the ‘Janashakthi National Civilian Bravery Award 2017’ can now be collected from the Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka and any of the 109 Janashakthi branches located island-wide. The Foundation will be accepting applications until 31 March, after which the winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges, based on the supporting evidence submitted with the application, as well as face to face interviews. 

At the press conference Chandraratne further elaborated that once applications are received it will be referred to the Council comprising of two layers – civilian officers and representatives of the three forces. DIG Ajith Rohana also stated that the police will assist in checking the veracity of incidences in the applications received. It was also added that the awards will recognise not only those who risked their life to save another life, but also to save and protect the environment and animals. Accordingly, the categories for awards include the National Civilian Bravery Awards, the Civilian Bravery Philanthropy Award, the Civilian Bravery Fauna/Flora Award, and the Civilian Bravery Nur (Life) Award.

At the event a campaign video featuring locally renowned personalities was also played and tokens of appreciation for the support extended were handed out to these eminent public figures. Of the public figures featured in the campaign video, veteran Sinhala actress Iranganie Serasinghe, media personality B.H. Abdul Hameed, popular actor and singer Saranga Dissasekera, actress and presenter Niranjani Shanmugarajah, and eminent professor Deshamanya J.B. Dissanayake – who also addressed the gathering – were present at the occasion. 

The Foundation for Civilian Bravery Sri Lanka is a non-profit organisation, established by Act No 4 of 2009, dedicated to honouring civilians who voluntarily risk their lives saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Established in 1993, the Foundation bestows medals of bravery annually at ceremonies in Colombo.

Janashakthi Insurance PLC, founded in 1994, made its mark in the industry as an innovator and household name over a span of two decades. As an organisation that thrives to deliver excellence in Customer Service by addressing the insurance needs of its customer base, Janashakthi has an island wide branch network of 109 branches, a 24 hour call centre and around the clock assessor services. Today, the company stands strong as a leader in Motor, Non-Motor and Life Insurance services, and continues resolutely on its vision of lighting the lamp of insurance in every home and workplace.