St John History

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THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION & BRIGADE IN SRI LANKA
Our Registered main name – GA 591

ST JOHN AMBULANCE SRI LANKA
ST JOHN SRI LANKA

Our common name

ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

Brigade section
WHO WE ARE

ST JOHN AMBULANCE

“In the Service of Huminity”   St John Ambulance Sri Lanka governed by the St John Ambulance Association & Brigade in Sri Lanka established in 1906, is a Non-Governmental Organization registered as a Social Service / Non Governmental Organization under Voluntary Services Organization Act No. 3 1 of 1980 as amended by Act No. 08 of 1998 of the Government of Sri Lanka. It is also a Government Approved Charity Vide Gazette No. 193 of 05-12—1975.

ST JOHN Sri Lanka is also registered as a Guarantee Limited Company No: G A 591 on 27.12.2010 as THE ST.JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AND BRIGADE IN SRI LANKA.

MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION

To encourage and promote all work of humanity and charity for the relief of persons in sickness, distress, suffering or danger without distinction of race, class, or creed and extension of the great principle of the St John Ambulance in its motto ‘Pro Utilitate Hominum’

ST JOHN Sri Lanka continuously assessing the social needs & planning & implementing programs to prevent from ill effects on physical, mental, social & spiritual wellbeing of all citizens of Sri Lanka, especially children of our country, with more than 115 years’ experience & wisdom.
OBJECTIVES

Trust Us To Be There To Help All & Make Things Well Again

To educate and train members to serve the public in practice of First Aid, Nursing, Primary Health Care, Disaster Preparedness and Management, Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety and to engage in Youth Development and Leadership training and other allied or ancillary subjects.

To prepare, publish and distribute textbooks and other training aids to facilitate such instruction and the organization of examinations and tests for the purpose of issuing certificates of proficiency in such subjects.

To organize, educate and equip men, women and young persons to undertake, on a voluntary basis, either as individuals or as organised groups, First Aid, Nursing and allied activities including community care, in the street, public places, hospitals, homes, places of work, sites of disaster or elsewhere as occasion may require for the relief, transport, comfort or welfare of those in need.

To afford opportunities for holders of approved First Aid Certificates to meet together for training and practice under-qualified members of the Medical and Nursing professions with the object of combining individual efforts in the service of the public.

Issue of special Certificates, Souvenirs, Medals, etc. with the approval of Commissioner and Commander for the appreciation of special services rendered by the members and for any special subjects/Course conducted by the Brigade.

To provide trained personnel to give assistance to central and local Government Departments and to the Armed Forces at times of emergency in peace or war, specifically in Sri Lanka.

To instruct males and females in First Aid, Nursing and other subjects conducive to the education of good citizens.

To provide ambulance transport and medical comforts and organize transport by ambulance.

To provide ancillary services to the aged (both male and female) and the handicapped.

MISSION

To encourage and promote all work of humanity and charity for the relief of persons in sickness, distress, suffering or danger without distinction of race, class, or creed and extension of the great principle of the St. John Ambulance in its motto ‘Pro Utilitate Hominum’
Our History

The Beginnings

Background

After the death of CHRIST, People began to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land to see his birth place, However, Travel in those days were fraught with danger, pilgrims were frequently attacked by robbers

Around 600 AD

A Hostel was established in Jerusalem for sick and weary pilgrims by Abbot Probes. The persecution of Christians and the closing of all routes to Palestine by the Moslems led to the Holy War The Crusades

900 AD

The Capture of Jerusalem by the Christians forces of the Crusade, The Wounded were treated in the Hospital in the Jerusalem which was run by Monks under the leadership of the Blessed Gerard.

The Blessed Gerard acquired the Monastery of St John an old Greek Church and founded the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. The present day order is a descendent of the Order of the Hospital of St John, A Religious Order founded in Palestine.

113 AD

Pop recognized the Order, as having a special task to care for the sick.By his bull of 1113, pope Paschal II gave the Monks and Hospital in Jerusalem independent status as a Religious Foundation, known as the Order the hospital of St John of Jerusalem.in addition to the caring of the sick, the Second master of the hospital role for the brothers, that of the protection of the pilgrims in the Holy Land.The bothers was known as the “Knights of St John” or “Knights Hospitaller and Wore” as their symbol “The Eight Pointed Cross”The Knights Hospitaller was from many different Countries. There were “Tongues” from province, Auvergne, France, Italy, Aragon, England, Germany and Castile Portugal.During the Turbulent years of the 12th and 13th Centuries theOrder Developed a Military Wing “Knights Of St John”For 700 Years, in Jerusalem, Cyprus, Rhodes and finally Malta the Order played a cardinal part in Europeon History.

114 AD

The tongue of England was centered at the Priory of Clerkenwell, which was established, just outside the city of London. The Grand Prior of England ranked as the Premier Baron of England under the title of “Lord Prior of St John”

118 AD

Foundation of the order at Clerkenwell which is the Headquarters of the order.

1501/27 AD

The order of St John Includes. (Library and Museum) Land in England were first given the Order of St John in the early 12th century The Headquarters of the Order was established in the Priory of Clerkenwell, just north of the city of London. Grand Prior Thomas Docwra enlarged and beautified the Prior of Clerkenwell, including the south entrance known as the St John Gate. This part of the Priory still stands and now houses, the Library and Museum of the Order which contains many interesting relics of Order in the Holy Land, Rhodes and Malta as well as in this Country. The collection includes Pictures, Furniture, Silver coins, Books and Manuscripts and a St John Ambulance collection.

1530 AD

The Hospitaller were granted the Island of Malta by the Emperor Charles (V) ruler of Austria, Spain, Sicily and many other territories in Europe. The Eight pointed Maltese Cross adopted as the Emblem of the Order of St John.

1540 AD

The grand Priory of England was despoiled of all its property at the dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry (VIII) and although restored to its remaining possessions by Queen Mary (1) was again despoiled by her successor Queen Elizabeth (1).

1798 AD

The Order was expelled from Malta by Napoleon and the Pope established it in Rome.

1831 AD

The Most Venerable Order of St John was reintroduced in England; the Reverent Sir Robert Peat was elected Prior.

1852 AD

Germany-Orders of Sweden and Netherlands. The revival of the Order in England.

1863 AD

Sir John Furley represented the Order at the Geneva Conference after the Crimean War.

1870 AD

outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War introduced new dimensions to the Order of St John.

1877 AD

Key dates

Foundation Of The St John Ambulance Association.

The growth of the First Aid movement increased following the invaluable work of Florence Nightingale’s nursing service in the Crimean War and later with the establishment of the Red Cross under the Geneva Convention of 1864. It occurred to certain members of the Order of The St John (notably Sir Edmund Lechmere and Sir John Furley) that the only way of obtaining effective Ambulance and Nursing Services in Wartime was to provide facilities for training and practice in peacetime. Hence, The foundation of the St John Ambulance Association.

The British Order of St John was firmly established with the Foundation of the St John Ambulance.

1878 AD

Publication of the First Textbook “Aid for Cases of Injuries and Sudden Illness”.

1882 AD

The Foundation of the Ophthalmic Hospital – Jerusalem.

In view of its historical association with the Holy Land the Order decided to found Hospital in Jerusalem, as St John Ophthalmic Hospital (Eye Hospital).

1887 AD

The Foundation of the St John Ambulance Brigade

The St John Ambulance Brigade was established at the request of many people who held First Aid certificates of the Association and who wished to form themselves into a recognized body ready to be of assistance in case of sudden illness or accident.

1888 AD

The incorporation of the Order by Royal Charter granted by H.M.Queen Victoriya thereby acquiring an independent legal status. “The Grand Prior of Most Venerable Order of the Hospital”. Now officially shortened to the Order of St John. Within the grand Priory. There are autonomous Priories in Scotland, Wales, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. There are St John Councils in 38 Countries throughout the World.

1892 AD

Formation of the First Overseas Brigade Divisions in New Zealand.

Our History

The Beginnings

Background

After the death of CHRIST, People began to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land to see his birth place, However, Travel in those days were fraught with danger, pilgrims were frequently attacked by robbers

Around 600 AD

A Hostel was established in Jerusalem for sick and weary pilgrims by Abbot Probes. The persecution of Christians and the closing of all routes to Palestine by the Moslems led to the Holy War The Crusades

900 AD

The Capture of Jerusalem by the Christians forces of the Crusade, The Wounded were treated in the Hospital in the Jerusalem which was run by Monks under the leadership of the Blessed Gerard.

The Blessed Gerard acquired the Monastery of St John an old Greek Church and founded the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. The present day order is a descendent of the Order of the Hospital of St John, A Religious Order founded in Palestine.

113 AD

Pop recognized the Order, as having a special task to care for the sick.By his bull of 1113, pope Paschal II gave the Monks and Hospital in Jerusalem independent status as a Religious Foundation, known as the Order the hospital of St John of Jerusalem.in addition to the caring of the sick, the Second master of the hospital role for the brothers, that of the protection of the pilgrims in the Holy Land.The bothers was known as the “Knights of St John” or “Knights Hospitaller and Wore” as their symbol “The Eight Pointed Cross”The Knights Hospitaller was from many different Countries. There were “Tongues” from province, Auvergne, France, Italy, Aragon, England, Germany and Castile Portugal.During the Turbulent years of the 12th and 13th Centuries theOrder Developed a Military Wing “Knights Of St John”For 700 Years, in Jerusalem, Cyprus, Rhodes and finally Malta the Order played a cardinal part in Europeon History.

114 AD

The tongue of England was centered at the Priory of Clerkenwell, which was established, just outside the city of London. The Grand Prior of England ranked as the Premier Baron of England under the title of “Lord Prior of St John”

118 AD

Foundation of the order at Clerkenwell which is the Headquarters of the order.

1501/27 AD

The order of St John Includes. (Library and Museum) Land in England were first given the Order of St John in the early 12th century The Headquarters of the Order was established in the Priory of Clerkenwell, just north of the city of London. Grand Prior Thomas Docwra enlarged and beautified the Prior of Clerkenwell, including the south entrance known as the St John Gate. This part of the Priory still stands and now houses, the Library and Museum of the Order which contains many interesting relics of Order in the Holy Land, Rhodes and Malta as well as in this Country. The collection includes Pictures, Furniture, Silver coins, Books and Manuscripts and a St John Ambulance collection.

1530 AD

The Hospitaller were granted the Island of Malta by the Emperor Charles (V) ruler of Austria, Spain, Sicily and many other territories in Europe. The Eight pointed Maltese Cross adopted as the Emblem of the Order of St John.

1540 AD

The grand Priory of England was despoiled of all its property at the dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry (VIII) and although restored to its remaining possessions by Queen Mary (1) was again despoiled by her successor Queen Elizabeth (1).

1798 AD

The Order was expelled from Malta by Napoleon and the Pope established it in Rome.

1831 AD

The Most Venerable Order of St John was reintroduced in England; the Reverent Sir Robert Peat was elected Prior.

1852 AD

Germany-Orders of Sweden and Netherlands. The revival of the Order in England.

1863 AD

Sir John Furley represented the Order at the Geneva Conference after the Crimean War.

1870 AD

outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War introduced new dimensions to the Order of St John.

1877 AD

Key dates

Foundation Of The St John Ambulance Association.

The growth of the First Aid movement increased following the invaluable work of Florence Nightingale’s nursing service in the Crimean War and later with the establishment of the Red Cross under the Geneva Convention of 1864. It occurred to certain members of the Order of The St John (notably Sir Edmund Lechmere and Sir John Furley) that the only way of obtaining effective Ambulance and Nursing Services in Wartime was to provide facilities for training and practice in peacetime. Hence, The foundation of the St John Ambulance Association.

The British Order of St John was firmly established with the Foundation of the St John Ambulance.

1878 AD

Publication of the First Textbook “Aid for Cases of Injuries and Sudden Illness”.

1882 AD

The Foundation of the Ophthalmic Hospital – Jerusalem.

In view of its historical association with the Holy Land the Order decided to found Hospital in Jerusalem, as St John Ophthalmic Hospital (Eye Hospital).

1887 AD

The Foundation of the St John Ambulance Brigade

The St John Ambulance Brigade was established at the request of many people who held First Aid certificates of the Association and who wished to form themselves into a recognized body ready to be of assistance in case of sudden illness or accident.

1888 AD

The incorporation of the Order by Royal Charter granted by H.M.Queen Victoriya thereby acquiring an independent legal status. “The Grand Prior of Most Venerable Order of the Hospital”. Now officially shortened to the Order of St John. Within the grand Priory. There are autonomous Priories in Scotland, Wales, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. There are St John Councils in 38 Countries throughout the World.

1892 AD

Formation of the First Overseas Brigade Divisions in New Zealand.

Past Chairmen of The St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade in Sri Lanka.

NameService Period
Mr. Mellory E. Wijesinghe 1987 - 1988
Chief Justice Hon. N. Sansoni 1989 - 1992
Mr. B.A. Perera 1989 - 1994
Mr. Dunstan De Alwis 1994 - 1998
Mr. Moksevi R. Prelis 1999 - 2006
Mr. E.N. Rajah Sinnathuray 2007 - 2011
Dr. Palitha Randeniya 2012 - 2013
Dr. D.W. Weerasooriya 2014
Dr. Palitha Abeykoon
2015 - 2016
Dr. Sarath M. Samarage2017 - 2022
Mr. Shakya NanayakkaraSince 2022

Past Commanders of The St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade in Sri Lanka.

NameService Period
Mr. G.A. Piyadasa 1991 - 1993
Brig. Dr. H.I.K. Fernando 1994 - 1998
Dr. J.G. Jayatillake 1999 - 2007
Gen. Hamilton Wanasinghe 2008
Dr. D.W. Weerasooriya 2009 - 2011
Dr. Palitha Abeykoon
2012 - 2014
Dr. Sarath M. Samarage
2015 - 2016
Mr. Prasantha Lal De Alwis
Since 2017

Past Commissioners of The St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade in Sri Lanka.

NameService Period
Brig. C.P. Jayawardana
1956 - 1964
Col. D.N. Rockwood
1965 - 1970
Prof. Melroy Paul
1971 - 1973
Col. D.N. Jilla
1974 - 1976
Mr. W.F.Abaykoon - ASSN BR 1976 - 1983
Dr. F. Oswin Fernando - BGD BR 1977 - 1990
Mr. G.A. Piyadasa 1991 - 1993
Dr. J.G. Jayatillake 1994 - 1998
Dr. Palitha Randeniya 1999 - 2002
Mr. Eric Perera 2003
Maj. Gen. Dr. K.D.P. Perera
2004 - 2006
Dr. D.W. Weerasooriya 2007 - 2008
Mr. Prasantha Lal De Alwis 2009 - 2014
Mr. K.H. Jayaweera 2015 - 2017
Dr. J.M. Nilam Since 2018
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