Twenty three (23) Saint Lucians will be honoured for their contributions to national development in various fields at the 2011 independence Investiture Ceremony on Sunday February 27th at Government House.

The Investiture Ceremony which will be held under the auspices of the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy as Chancellor of the Order of Saint Lucia will confer the various honours.

Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Sir Dwight Venner will receive the Saint Lucia Cross (SLC) for outstanding contribution to national development, particularly in the fields of economics and finance.

Other awardees include Mr Wilfred St. Clair Daniel for outstanding contribution to national development, Miss Catharina Francoise Joseph will receive the Saint Lucia Medal of Merit Gold for long and meritorious service in the field of Education.

Deceased national artisan Sabinas Thomas who lost his life during Hurricane Tomas will be honoured for his significant contribution to the Arts and Crafts Industry in Saint Lucia.

The Public Service Long Standing awards will be bestowed Miss Marcia Lesmond, Wilbert King, Ms. Belina Cliford, Mrs. Elizabeth Nobert, Superintendent Alphonso Francis, Assistant Superintendent Bryan Jawahir, Corporal Sylvester Maximus Biscette, Francis Matthew John and Sub Officer Alexius Fabian Sebastian King.

The Saint Lucia Les Pitons Medal (Gold) will be awarded to Mr Desmond John Finbar Philip, Emmanuel Victor Dudley and Mrs. Monica Felix.

Ms. Michelle Christine Lorina Monrose, Geoffrey Thomas Jennings-Clark and Kenny Peter Chitolie will be honoured with the Saint Lucia Les Pitons Medal Silver.

The saint Lucia Les Piton Medal Bronze will be awarded to Mr John Lisle Bristol for his contribution to community service and Allan Kingsley Husband for his contribution to the upliftment of the Saint Lucian culture in Canada.

Other awardees include Mrs. Joan Bodill Haither Wilson-Philogene who will receive the Saint Lucia Medal of Merit (Silver) for long and meritorious service in the field of Education, and Mr George Louis will be awarded the Saint Lucia Merit of Medal Gold for contribution to trade unionism.

The independence awards are being conferred on the advice of Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King.

The National Television Network (NTN) will provide live telecast of the ceremony.