Godfrey Yogarajah, conferred Deshamanya

Godfrey Yogarajah, General Secretary of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) and executive director of the Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, was conferred the 'Deshamanya' title, Sri Lanka's second highest national honour.

Yogarajah was conferred the title at a special ceremony held at the BMICH recently under the patronage of Dr. Ranadeva Kariyawasam, Director-General of the Samastha Lanka Nena Guna Padanama.Yogarajah, who has provided leadership to the NCEASL for over 25 years, is a renowned religious liberty advocate, who has championed religious freedom and human rights in Sri Lanka and across the world. He is also the recipient of the 'Good Samaritan Award' (2004) for Religious Freedom, presented by Advocates International and the 'Pro Fide Award' (2005) presented by the Friends of Martyrs in Finland for his contribution to the rights of minorities.The Alliance Development Trust - NCEASL's relief and development arm, under the leadership of Yogarajah, has received commendations from the Government for its work in relief, rehabilitation and development.