Janaprith Mmakes Sri Lanka Proud!

Janaprith Fernando, Attorney-at-law, International Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scout Association was recently sworn is as the Deputy Chief Commissioner. Janaprith is the most decorated Scout leader in Sri Lanka who has been awarded many medals and awards from several Heads of State and National Scout Organizations.

About Janaprith Salinda Fernando

Janaprith was born on the 23rd of September 1967 in Rathmalana, a city situated in the outskirts of Colombo, to Iromie and Aleric Fernando. Janaprith is the fifth out of the six children in his family. He recieved his primary education at S. Thomas' College, Prepratory School and later at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, two of the most elite schools in the country.At the age of 10 years old Janaprith joined the 39th Colombo Scout Troop at his Alma Mater. Janaprith won his President's Scout Award in 1984 and later became the scout master of the troop.

Scouting Career

Janaprith Fernando began his Scouting Career in 1979 as a Scout at S Thomas’ Prep School, Kollupitiya and qualified for the highest Scout Award, President’s Scout. He is an old boy of S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, Kollupitiya and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. At school, he was an all-rounder who excelled in both studies and extra-curricular activities. He has received the Medal for distinguished service 2011 and Scout Service Medal from the Prime Minister of Malaysia 2013, The Green Jade Lion medal from the President of the Republic of Taiwan 2014, Bronze Tamaraw Award from the Vice President of the Republic of Philippines 2014, Association of Top Achiever Scouts Medallion from Regional Director of the WOSM/APR 2010, International Friendship Award 2012 and Medal of Honour awarded by the Korea Scout Association, Medal of Merit in 2010 and Bar to the Medal of Merit in 2013 by the President of Sri Lanka, President’s Scout Award in 1984 and the Wood Badge Award in 1989. After his Scouting days he qualified as a Scout Leader, Assistant District Commissioner and finally as the District Scout Commissioner of the Colombo District. After completing his period as District Commissioner Janaprith was invited to join the National Headquarters as a Special Commissioner and was later appointed International Commissioner. In 2009 Janaprith was appointed as the Chairman of the Management Sub Committee of the Asia Pacific Scout Region.In 2012, Janaprith became the first Sri Lankan to be elected to the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee which he serves. Janaprith currently is the Chairman of the Global Support Team of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. He was also the Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Association in October 2016 and is currently serving in this post. The International Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scout Association, Janaprith Fernando, Attorney-at-Law assumed duties as the newly appointed Deputy Chief Commissioner in 2016, in the presence of the Chief Commissioner Professor Nimal de Silva and a distinguished gathering.

“Green Jade Lion Award” by President of the Republic of China, Taiwan Ma Yin-jeou at the President’s Office in Taipei.

Jamborees Attended

• 3rd National Jamboree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
• 4th National Jamboree in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
• 5th National Jamboree in Kandy, Sri Lanka
• 6th National Jamboree in Galle, Sri Lanka
• 7th National Jamboree in Nuwara Eliya,Sri Lanka
• 8th National Jamboree in Hambantota, Sri Lanka
• 29th APR & Sri Lanka Centenary Jamboree in Dambulla, Sri Lanka
• 7th Australian Venture, 1984/85 Perth Australia.
• Becourse Jamboree in France,
• U S National Jamboree in West Virginia,
• 19th World Jamboree in Holland,
• 21st World Jamboree in UK
• Head of Contingent - 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011
• Kent International Jamboree UK,
• New Zealand Jamboree in Wellington
• 26th APR Jamboree in Philippines
• 29th APR Jamboree in Sri Lanka

Social Worker

He is also a keen social worker and a past President of Leo Club of Wellawatta West. There he organized many projects, including massive health camps, treating around 3000 patients in new settlements in the Mahaweli Areas in 1984 and 1985, trade and fun fairs, beach carnivals and has won the 100% President’s Award from the Lions Clubs International.

Professional and Legal Career

Janaprith Fernando, attorney-at-law won a closely contested election, with a convincing majority, to be appointed Colombo Law Society President. Returning Officer Colombo District Judge Sisira Ratnayake declared Fernando as President of the Colombo Law Society for 2008/2009. He has been practicing as an attorney for the past 16 years and has served in the Committee of the Law Society during this entire period. He has been a former Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President of the Law Society. He has organized and chaired many projects for the Law Society, as well as the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, and has served in the capacity of Assistant Secretary of the BASL and Chairman of many Standing Committees. An active member of the Colombo Law Society and Bar Association of Sri Lanka and Past Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President 2008/09 and 2009/10 of the Colombo Law Society, Past Assistant Secretary, Vice President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, conferred as Member Honoris Causa of Colombo Law Society in 2016. He has been an Assistant Secretary of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA). He has attended many conferences and forums in many countries and represented Sri Lanka. In his inaugural address to the members he said that he will do his best for the benefit of the membership and promised to lead the society as its captain and get the co-operation of all the members to achieve the objectives of the Law Society.

Workshops and Seminars attended

APR Top Leaders Summit in Philippines
World Scout APR Regional Conferences Japan & Malaysia
Delegate World Scout Conference in Korea
Strategic Planning Workshops in Sri Lanka
Resource Person -Basic Management Course in Bangladesh,
Sub Regional Risk Management Workshop in Bangladesh
Scout Environmental Forum Japan
Resource Person Ticket to Life Workshops in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Advisor of the Effective Communication Workshop in Sri Lanka
Member of CNV Team Sri Lanka and Malaysia
Ocular Visits for 24th APR Conference in Dhaka in 2010 and 2012.
2nd World Scout Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Korea October 2010
As Chairman of Management Sub Committee:- Hosted the Sub-Committee in
Sri Lanka in January 2010 and Sub Committee Meeting
Attended Regional Scout committe Meeting held in Feb 2010 in Singapore and
Centenary Celebrations
Regional Top Leaders Summit June 2010 Bangalore India
Regional Scout Committee Meeting in Seoul, Korea in October 2010
Management Sub-Committee Meeting in Taipei, Taiwan April 2011
and Centenary Celebrations of Scouts of China
Regional Committee Meeting in April 2011 Manila, Philippines
Regional Scout Committee Meeting April 2011 Manila, Philippines
Regional Scout Committee Meeting in Thailand October 2011
Sub Committee Meeting in Thailand October 2011
Sub Committee Meeting in Dambulla, Sri Lanka April 2012
Regional Scout Committee Meeting April 2012 Dhaka, Bangladesh
Regional Management Meeting in APR Office Makati City, August 2010,
August 2011 and June 2012

Awarded the Certificate of Competence on being the first in Asia Pacific Region of WOSM to Qualify as an Internal Quality Auditor

Iconic Star

Attorney at law Janaprith Fernando Chairman, Global Support Core Group of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Member Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee and International Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scouts has been awarded the Certificate of Competence on being the first in Asia Pacific Region of WOSM to qualify as an Internal Quality Auditor. The certificate was issued upon the successful completion of the training by Society General the Surveillance (SGS) of Switzerland, RJ Governance Systems and International Standardization and Accreditation Services.

Janaprith Fernando, a practicing attorney-at-law, is the first in the Asia Pacific Region to receive accreditation. The region has a membership of 30 million and to qualify in this capacity is an honour to Sri Lanka. He also said that he is aware of the hardships faced by both the practitioners and the litigants and that he will do everything to find the necessary solutions in order that the public will have more confidence in the judicial system of our country and the lawyers at large. Sri Lanka Scout Association celebrates its 105th year. So far no Sri Lankan has contested for the World Scout Committee. Therefore this time SLSA has decided to send a Contestant as a World Scout Committee Candidate. He is none other than attorney at law Mr. Janaprith Fernando, Deputy Chief Commissioner and WOSM Asia Pacific Regional Committee Member. During his 36 years of scouting, he has been awarded several medals and awards by Heads of States and has always worked towards flying the Sri Lanka Flag High! We always knew you are different from others. Your achievement is truly commendable so keep up the good work. It is a success, you truly deserved. It is an achievement you have truly earned. SCOUTING MAGAZINE congratulate you on your success and wish you all the Best for your future. Happy Hunting Sir!