Charles Weerasuriya
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Charles Weerasuriya, SBStJ | |
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| Born | 1902 |
| Died | 1968 |
| Citizenship | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation | Police officer |
| Known for | Founding the Police Welfare Division of the Ceylon Police |
| Honours | Serving Brother of the Order of St John (SBStJ) |
Charles Weerasuriya, SBStJ (1902–1968) was a Sri Lankan police officer and welfare organiser. He is credited with helping to establish the Police Welfare Division of the Ceylon Police, which coordinated health, first-aid training and support services for officers and their families. A long-serving member of St John Ambulance, he was awarded the Service Medal of the Order of St John and was admitted as a Serving Brother of the Order of St John in 1936, his appointment appearing in the London Gazette in January 1937.[1]
Police career
Weerasuriya was among the first officers associated with the creation of the Police Welfare Division in Ceylon during the 1930s, an initiative to improve officer health, pensions, recreation, and first-aid training in cooperation with St John Ambulance. A Ceylon Government Gazette notice of 12 April 1949 lists "Mr. C. Weerasuriya" in the Police Department in connection with pensions and secondments, confirming his continued role in the Welfare Division after the Second World War.
St John Ambulance
Weerasuriya became active in the St John Ambulance movement, which was closely linked to police and welfare activities in Ceylon. He was awarded the Service Medal of the Order of St John for long service.[2]
In late 1936 he was admitted as a Serving Brother of the Order of St John, and his name appeared in the London Gazette of 1 January 1937.[1] The insignia of the Order was presented in Ceylon by the Governor, Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs, who served as Vice-Patron of the Order.
Second World War
During the Second World War (1939–45), the Police Welfare Division and St John Ambulance played roles in civil defence, air raid precautions, and casualty care in Ceylon. Weerasuriya’s work in police welfare and ambulance preparedness is noted within this broader context.[3]
Later life and death
Weerasuriya remained active in welfare and police service into the post-war period. He died in 1968.[4]
Legacy
Charles Weerasuriya is remembered as a pioneer of welfare and first-aid culture within the Ceylon Police. The Police Welfare Division he helped to establish continues to function within the modern Sri Lanka Police.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The London Gazette". 1 January 1937. p. 9. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ↑ The Most Venerable Order of St John: Order Honours and Awards. London: Museum of the Order of St John. 1984.
- ↑ Peiris, R. (1946). Ceylon and the War Effort 1939–1945. Colombo: Lake House.
- ↑ Roll of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, 1975. London: Chancery of the Order of St John. 1975.
External links
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