Fourteen Differently Abled Girl Guides Receive Guiding’s Highest Honour at the Presidential Awards Ceremony
AI-generated illustration. The authentic Sunday Times photograph by M.A. Pushpa Kumara is available in the original article and is not reproduced here.
Fourteen Girl Guides from Daya Mina (Gem of Love) Centre in Embuldeniya, Nugegoda, have received the Blue All Round Cord, the highest honour in Guiding, at the Presidential Awards ceremony held at Temple Trees, Colombo 3, on 20 September. Their achievement was celebrated alongside the success of Guides from two other special education centres, reflecting the commitment, skills and community participation of young people with disabilities across the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association.
The Sunday Times report by Kumudini Hettiarachchi records that, in addition to the 14 recipients from Daya Mina, seven Guides from Meth Mihira Special Education Centre in Moratuwa and three from Supem Uyana Centre in Gonapinuwela, Hikkaduwa, also received the Blue All Round Cord. Together, the three centres therefore account for 24 award recipients. Daya Mina also received the Award for the Best School among the Guiding centres.
Among the Daya Mina Guides, Ravindi Sanara Fernando, 15, Nethmi Himansa Bandara, 18, and Kalpana Opatha, 31, were named in the report. They welcomed visitors with a salute and, when asked about their achievement, said together, “hari sathutui” (“we are very happy”). Amasha Perera, also pictured with the group, is a 2nd Class Girl Guide.
An AI-generated illustration of an inclusive learning activity inspired by the article.
A pathway built on skills, service and preparation
The Blue All Round Cord represents the completion of a structured programme rather than a single event. For the Daya Mina Guides, the journey began with keeping the Girl Guide Promise and progressing through the 2nd Class Badge before undertaking the requirements for the 1st Class Badge.
Those requirements span six areas: social and communication; pioneer; self-development; arts and culture; sports and recreation; and community service. The Guides also completed 12 challenges. Among the compulsory elements were learning about the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association, developing practical skills as a cook and camper, caring for the environment as an earth keeper, looking and feeling good, and carrying out a community service project.
Community service was put into practice through an extensive shramadana campaign at St. Thomas’s Church in Kotte. The Daya Mina Guides also joined Guides from Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, for a shramadana at Diyatha Uyana, Kotte. These activities formed a meaningful part of the award journey, linking the learning of Guiding with practical contributions in shared public and community spaces.
The ceremonial recognition at Temple Trees marked the culmination of sustained work: learning new skills, taking on challenges, working alongside others and preparing to serve. In this respect, the award acknowledges both individual achievement and the shared effort of the Guides, their leaders and the wider support network around them.
Guiding with inclusion at its centre
Daya Mina, Meth Mihira and Supem Uyana are run by the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, an order serving under the Catholic Church. Guides from all three centres belong to the Differently Abled Guides branch of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA). The association has six other branches: Butterflies, Little Friends, Guides, Rangers, Youth and Community Guiding.
At Daya Mina, Directress Sr. Anastasia Perera leads a centre offering activities that include dancing, singing and creating works of art. Trained special education teachers, visiting experts and volunteers contribute to the programme, providing a setting where learning and participation can take different forms.
Guiding Captain Sr. Jacintha Silva, who took over the role in 2019, told The Sunday Times that the broad training available to those who come to Daya Mina helps Guides uphold Guiding’s motto, “Be Prepared”. She described programmes designed to support holistic development, strengthen leadership skills and encourage community engagement. These have included a local “Master Chef” activity, shramadana projects and celebrations of different religious festivals.
The centre’s Guiding group includes 25 Guides, two of whom have severe special needs. Sr. Jacintha described an inclusive environment in which no one is cast aside and the children take part in Guiding activities. She emphasised that children with disabilities deserve a place in society, with their rights ensured and protected, and noted that this approach brings happiness to the children and their parents.
That approach is reflected not only in the award results, but in the everyday expectation that each Guide is a participant and a valued member of the group. Inclusion is made tangible through shared activities, opportunities to contribute and the recognition of each person’s right to belong.
An AI-generated illustration representing community service and environmental care.
Community action and consideration for others
The Daya Mina Guides’ community service extends beyond the award requirements. Their shramadana work at St. Thomas’s Church and Diyatha Uyana brought them into partnership with other community members and school Guides, strengthening the practical connection between Guiding and service.
Sr. Jacintha also recalled the Guides’ thoughtfulness at the “Bloom Together National Camp”, held at Dilmah’s MJF Centre in Moratuwa in May. The Guides insisted on taking extra groundsheets for participants who might not have one. It was a small but telling example of how preparation can include paying attention to what others may need.
The wider network supporting the Guides has also been instrumental. Sr. Jacintha expressed gratitude to SLGGA Chief Commissioner Nirmalee William, former Chief Commissioner Dr. Kusantha Herat, and Differently Abled Guides Branch Commissioner Dilhani Haputantri and her staff for their support.
The awards ceremony provided a further moment of recognition. Ravindi delivered the Vote of Thanks, a proud occasion for Daya Mina, and the Guides showed photographs taken with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The images captured a milestone for the Guides and the people who have supported their progress.
An AI-generated illustration of Guides planning and contributing together.
A message that reaches beyond the ceremony
The Blue All Round Cord honours commitment, practical capability and service. For the Guides at Daya Mina, Meth Mihira and Supem Uyana, it also represents what can be achieved when young people with disabilities are included in programmes that offer meaningful challenges and recognise their contributions.
The Best School Award for Daya Mina adds another distinction to the achievement. Yet the significance of the occasion reaches beyond the certificates and ceremonial setting: it lies in the example of children learning, serving and taking their place in community life, supported by families, educators, volunteers and the Guiding movement.
For families of children with special needs in Sri Lanka and abroad, the story offers encouragement. It demonstrates the value of inclusive opportunities in which young people can develop skills, make choices, work with peers and contribute to others. The experience at Daya Mina also suggests that programmes are strongest when accessibility and belonging are treated as essential, rather than additional, parts of participation.
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