The special BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (B.E.M.) was presented to Mr.Yann Lovelock for his tireless work during last 40 years to British society by Mr.Paul Sabapathy, Commander of British Empire Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Her Majesty the Queen’s special envoy along with Deputy Lieutenant Mrs.Jenny Loynton as well as Chevalier William Ozanne. There have been various community and faith leaders to congratulate to Yann. Ven.Dr.Witharandeniye Kassapa O.B.E. hosted the program on behalf of Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara.

1917 (B.E.M.) was introduced in British social and later it was scrapped by conservative Prime Minister Hon. John Major in 1993 saying make classless honours. However present conservative Prime Minister reviewed it in 2011 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. In this year 2012 there have been 293 people including Mr.Yann Lovelock received the medal under the Queen’s birthday honours.