Young Sri Lankan New Zealander Savin Gunaratne Receives International Order of St John Honour
Original photograph: ශ්රී LankaNZ.
A young Sri Lankan New Zealander has received a rare international honour after being admitted as a Member of the Order of St John.
Savin Gunaratne, who moved to New Zealand with his parents in 2013, was formally recognised for his sustained service with Hato Hone St John. His admission to the Order was officially published in The London Gazette in 2025, while the insignia was presented at a special ceremony in Auckland on 4 July 2026.
The achievement was reported by Eranga Kaviratne of Hamilton for ශ්රී LankaNZ on 6 October 2026. It has been welcomed as a significant moment of pride for Sri Lankans in New Zealand and an inspiring example of youth leadership through community service.
A rare international recognition
The Order of St John is an international organisation operating in more than 40 countries. It has a long history of supporting first aid, healthcare, community service and humanitarian work.
The Order was established as a Royal Order of Chivalry through a Royal Charter granted by Queen Victoria in 1888. Its Sovereign Head is King Charles III.
Admission is not automatic. Candidates must be nominated and pass through a detailed review process involving Regional and Priory Honours committees before the final approval of the King. This process reflects the importance attached to service, commitment and contribution across the Order’s international network.
For that reason, Savin Gunaratne’s admission as a Member is more than a local community award. It is an internationally recognised honour connected to a global organisation and approved through the Order’s formal royal structure.
The distinction is also unusual because such honours are normally associated with mature individuals who have given decades of continuous service. Receiving it while still in his early twenties, after a comparatively short period of service, makes the recognition particularly notable.
The insignia presented in Auckland therefore represented both a personal achievement and wider acknowledgement of the contribution that young volunteers can make to their communities.
From cadet volunteer to Member of the Order
Savin joined Hato Hone St John as a volunteer cadet in 2014, one year after arriving in New Zealand with his parents.
Cadet programmes provide young people with opportunities to develop practical skills, discipline, teamwork and an understanding of community responsibility. For young migrants, organisations such as St John can also offer a valuable way to build confidence, friendships and a strong connection with their new country.
During his time with Hato Hone St John, Savin won the Grand Prior’s Award. He was also named the Central Region’s Cadet of the Year for 2019/2020.
These achievements demonstrate a consistent record of participation and leadership. They also show how voluntary service can become a long-term pathway, beginning with basic training and gradually developing into responsibility for people, programmes and community activities.
AI-generated illustrative image by eLanka. No identifiable individuals, real insignia or organisation logos are depicted.
The Auckland ceremony
Although the honour was officially published in The London Gazette in 2025, the insignia was presented to Savin at a special ceremony in Auckland on 4 July 2026.
The ceremony took place in the presence of regional leadership from the Order of St John. It provided an opportunity to formally mark an achievement that had already passed through the Order’s nomination, review and approval process.
The Auckland presentation also brought the international significance of the honour into a New Zealand community setting. A young Sri Lankan New Zealander who began as a cadet volunteer was recognised within the same organisation where he first developed his interest in service.
That connection between early volunteering and later recognition is an important part of the story. The honour did not arise from a single event. It followed years of participation, learning and responsibility.
Leadership beyond volunteering
Savin’s achievements extend beyond his work with Hato Hone St John.
He holds a business degree and is currently studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Project Management. These studies complement the organisational and leadership skills developed through volunteering.
He is also the head coach of the Victoria University women’s cricket team. In addition, he serves as junior head coach at Fernhurst Cricket Club in the United Kingdom.
His coaching roles demonstrate leadership in another area of community life. Cricket requires planning, communication, patience and the ability to support people with different levels of experience. Coaching also gives young people an opportunity to develop confidence and participate in a team environment.
Savin’s involvement in cricket creates a further connection between his New Zealand experience, his Sri Lankan heritage and the wider international community. Sri Lankan communities across the world have long used cricket as a way to bring generations together, and youth coaching helps ensure that participation continues.
eLanka regularly covers the role of cricket in connecting Sri Lankan communities abroad. Readers can also explore our report on the 36th Festival of Cricket in London, where sport, culture, family participation and community fundraising came together.
AI-generated illustrative image by eLanka. No identifiable individuals, team logos or real insignia are depicted.
Why the achievement matters to Sri Lankan New Zealanders
Savin Gunaratne’s recognition carries wider meaning for the Sri Lankan community in New Zealand.
For families who have moved to a new country, the early years often involve adapting to a different education system, culture and social environment. Community organisations can help young people develop a sense of belonging while encouraging them to contribute to the wider society in which they live.
Savin’s journey shows that these two identities can exist together. His Sri Lankan background is part of his community story, while his service has been carried out through a New Zealand organisation with an international reach.
The result is a positive example of participation and integration. He has not had to choose between maintaining his heritage and serving his adopted country. His achievement reflects the contribution that Sri Lankan New Zealanders are making across volunteer organisations, education, sport and professional life.
It also highlights the value of recognising young people for service. Many young volunteers contribute quietly through training sessions, community events, first-aid support, youth programmes and sports clubs. Their work may not always attract public attention, but it strengthens the organisations and communities around them.
An example for the next generation
The story offers a practical message to the next generation of Sri Lankan youth in New Zealand: meaningful achievement can begin with a decision to volunteer.
Joining a service organisation can provide more than technical training. It can help young people learn how to work with others, respond responsibly, lead teams and take on challenges. These skills can support later study, employment, sport and community involvement.
Savin’s experience also demonstrates the value of continuity. His recognition followed years of commitment that began when he was a cadet. The Grand Prior’s Award, his Central Region Cadet of the Year title, his academic progress and his cricket coaching all form part of a broader record of leadership.
For parents and community groups, the achievement is a reminder of the importance of encouraging young people to participate in constructive activities. For young Sri Lankan New Zealanders, it shows that service can create opportunities to make a difference while earning respect across national and cultural boundaries.
Savin Gunaratne’s admission as a Member of the Order of St John is therefore a proud Sri Lankan achievement and a significant New Zealand community story. It recognises sustained service, youth leadership and the contribution of a young migrant who has grown into an international example of community commitment.
Reported by Eranga Kaviratne of Hamilton for ශ්රී LankaNZ.
Original source
Read the original ශ්රී LankaNZ report: “International Honour for Savin Gunaratne from Britain”
Additional background: The London Gazette notice | Order of St John International
