Gusi Peace Prize

The Gusi Peace Prize is a Philippines-based international award recognizing individuals from the four corners of the globe working toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity. It has been referred to as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize by its proponent.

The Gusi Foundation has given honour to Sri Lanka by nominating one Sri Lankan Military Officer for the conferment of Gusi Peace Award 2010 in recognition of his service towards Humanitarian Assistance to needy people of the Tamil community in the north and for the communal harmony.

This section of local Tamils became direct and indirect victims of the thirty year long separatist war waged by the LTTE, a group of extremist Tamils in the guise of an ethnic clash. Maj. Gen. Mahinda Hathurusinghe on being appointed the Commander Security Forces Kilinochchi / Jaffna was able to identify the basic needs of those affected Tamil people and launched a number of projects to promote their livelihood. In addition, he could establish close rapport between Security Forces and civilians through well-coordinated cultural, social, religious and economy development programmes in the Jaffna peninsula within a short span of 6 to 8 months after his taking over the office in Jaffna in January 2010.

Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, the present Commander of Security Forces – Jaffna is among the 20 laureates from the entire world and only representative from South Asia for the year 2010. Awarding the Peace Price to a Sri Lankan Army Officer significantly defend the country from allegations of Human Rights violation leveled against the Security Forces and governing authorities by different local and foreign pro terrorist outfits.

The award is given to outstanding personalities each year, who must attend the Awards Night to receive it. Gusi Peace Prize is given to distinguished individuals or groups worldwide with exemplary contributions to Peace and Human Rights. Scientific Discoveries, Politics, Academe, Performing Arts, Literature, Medicine or Physiology, Journalism, Humanities, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Business & Philanthropy, Religion, Internationalism are the other areas of Award.

The annual Gusi Peace Prize Awards is run by the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation, an organization based in Manila that performs humanitarian work for poor communities in the Philippines. The foundation was created in 2003 by Barry Gusi to continue the philanthropic work of his parents, the late Capt. Gemeniano Javier Gusi and Teodora Cha Sotejo. Captain Gusi was a hero who fought the Japanese invaders during World War II and became popular for advocating Human Rights.