About the Foundation

The Foundation came into being on 13th January 1993 as a Trust of Kasun P. Chandraratne, the Founder and current President of the Foundation which is presently incorporated by an Act of Parliament Act No 4 of 2009. As the maiden activity, the Foundation recognized, in the year 1993, the ferryman of Ukwatta in Kalutara who died in his attempt to save 6 passengers when his ferry capsized in the middle of the river.

The Foundation for Civilian Bravery is dedicated to recognizing and rewarding Civilians who save lives of others, risking own life; & promote safety. Such acts of saving another is described as Civilian Bravery. Often, these heroes without any obligation undertake risk to their own lives to save another. Appreciation of these heroic deeds should be a paramount duty of any civilized society especially in the context of the present day social environment. In Sri Lanka there was no such organization to fulfil this task until the Foundation assumed duties to fill the void.

Sri Lankan Identity

In the latter part of the 10th century, Great King Vijayabahu recognised Budal Na - Dandanayaka of Ruhuna- for saving his life. The Foundation named its highest bravery medal in recognition of Lord Budal to remind Sri Lankans of their past glory.

Declared by Sir Arthur C Clark the foundation also named the "Kalamala" (Derris Parviflor) flower indigenous to Sri Lanka as the symbol of civilian bravery, thus making lifesaving, the most civilised act, deeply rooted in Sri Lanka.