India confers highest award of Bharat Scouts and Guides to Janaprith Fernando
– Sri Lanka’s Chief Scout Commissioner Janaprith Salinda Fernando was awarded the ‘Silver Elephant Award’ at the Raj Bhawan in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by the Governor Amandi Ben Patel recently. The Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG) which has a membership of over 6.8 million at present confers the ‘Silver Elephant Award’ the Highest National Distinction of BSG in recognition of Most Exceptional Service to the Scout/Guide Movement.
The citation of the Award states among several sentiments “.. With over 40 years of scouting experience, including leadership roles since 1994, Fernando’s commitment to scouting excellence is unparalleled. Recognized Internationally, he has received numerous prestigious awards….”
Janaprith Fernando having served as Scout Leader of 39th Colombo S.Thomas’ Prep School, then served as an Assistant District Commissioner of Colombo and was the District Commissioner from 2005-2010, He was then appointed a Special Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scout Association, National Headquarters and appointed as the International Commissioner and served from 2011-2016 and as the Deputy Chief Commissioner from 2016 to 2021. He was appointed as the Chief Commissioner of SLSA in 2021 and serves in this capacity at present.
Under his stewardship the membership of the Association has grown by over 100%, the finances to an extremely strong position due to the transparent policies introduced, all 37 scout districts activated, held a National Scout Jamboree with over 12,000 scouts camping from both Sri Lanka and overseas in 2024, National Cubboree in 2025 with 12,600 cubs, two Kiddorees in 2022 & 2024 with 8000 Scout Kids, introduction of new Youth program, Adult Traininin, facilitation of SL Scouts to attend International events and obtaining grants from WOSM fr local projects.
In addition to the progress and development of the SLSA, under his leadership over 300 projects have been conducted under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative and at present scouts and leaders from all districts are involved in providing services to the flood and landslide affected families and assisted over 10,000 families distributing relief items valued at over Rs.35 million at present.He is the only Sri Lankan to be elected to both the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee 2012-
17 and the World Scout Committee 2017-21. He has served in several Committees in WOSM and APR and has been the Chairman of several Committees and Task Forces during the past.
Presently he is the Chairman of South Asian Association of National Scout Organizations (SAANSO), Chairman of the APR Value Volunteering Sub-Committee, Membership Director of Asia Pacific Evergreen Scouts, Advisor to Association of Top Achiever Scouts (ATAS) and a WOSM Consultant.Fernando prior to been conferred this Award from India has been a proud recipient of the highest award of SLSA The Silver Lion Award, Asia Pacific Regional Chairman’s Award and International Awards from Philippines, Republic of China Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea.On his return to Sri Lanka he was warmly welcomed and accorded a reception by Scout Officials, Scouts and Leaders from across the country at the BIA.