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Don Charles Oswald Terrence Ameresekere

D.C.O.T. Ameresekere was born on 11 Dec 1919 in Weligama, Ceylon, and was the son of Don Charles Andris Condrad Ameresekere and Dona Mary Eugenie Wijenayake, of the 'Ameregiri', Kandana, Ceylon.

He enlisted in the 1st Coast Regt. Ceylon Garrison Artillery (CGA) (Regt.No. 1763) as a Gunner on 1 Oct 1938. He was mobilised for War Service on 2 Sept 1939 (Made non-effective on 1 Oct 1939 and re-effective on 1 March 1940). He was appointed Acting Lance-Bombardier on 6 June 1942; Lance-Bombardier 26 March 1943; Temporary Bombardier 1 Nov 1944; Bombardier 1 Feb 1945.

He was commissioned in the CGA as 2/Lieutenant (#987) on 28 Oct 1945 (C/G 23 Nov 1945). He was awarded the Efficiency Medal [Ceylon] on 20 Aug 1948 (Naming on the Medal and the Gazette notification shows as Amerasekera), and posted to the Reserve on 1 Oct 1948.

He resigned his commission on 22 Feb 1951. He was the recipient of the 1939-45 Defence & War Medals. He attended the 12th General Assembly of the World Veterans Federation, in the Hague 9-13 Oct 1967.

He was actively involved in the St.John's Ambulance Brigade in Ceylon, being appointed District Staff Officer, Grade IV on 2 June 1962 and later was it's President. He received the SJABO Bronze Re-examination Badge (Cross).

He was also active in the Boy Scout Movement in the Moratuwa-Piliyandala Scouting District in Ceylon, and appointed Assistant District Scout Commissioner, 1963-71, He received the Certificate of Merit 4 Feb 1966 (Asst.District Comm.); Deputy Leader of the Ceylon Contingent of Boy Scouts of the 12th World Jamboree in Idaho, USA in 1967. Awarded the Scout Wood Badge, 25 May 1967. Group Scout Master, 3rd Piliyandala Scout Group 1970-72. District Scout Commissioner 1971-73. Awarded the Medal of Merit, 25 Aug 1973 (Dist.Comm.). He was made an Honorary Life Member in 1973. Appointed HQ Commissioner 1973-75. Awarded the "Thanks" Badge, 16 March 1974 as Vice Chairman, Exec.Committee; As Asst. Chief Commissioner, awarded the Order of the Silver Lotus [for Distinguished Service] on 13 May 1977 and the Service Decoration [for Long Service] on 9 Jan 1979.

He also served in the Special Police Reserve in Ceylon.

He joined the Lions Club International in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1970 and transferred to the Canadian Lions Club in 1978 after migrating to Canada. He was the President of his club in 1987/88; Zone Chairman 1988-89; He held all the offices in the Club except the Secretary. He had 27 years of perfect attendance, a Life Member of the International Association of Lions Clubs, and was elected a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1991, Recipient of the Achievement Award, 100% President Award and the Lion of the Year in 1983/84. In total, he had 35 International, District and Club awards to his credit. He has attended over 17 International Conventions. He was also an active member of the Canadian Cancer Society and a Fellow of the British Institute of Management. He died in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada on 18 May 1997.