Mahendra Amarasuriya feted

BY SARATH Malalasekera

'Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya who is the Chairman of the Commercial Bank and United Motors is a son of an illustrious personality late Thomas Amarasuriya who held office for sometime as President of the Senate of Ceylon.

Mahendra Amarasuriya is now heading towards achieving greater glory for himself and our country', said Lion Vernon Boteju, Past District Governor, Past Chairman and Chairman of the past Governor's Association of District 306 C2.

He was delivering the keynote address at the felicitation meeting for second Vice President International Association of Lions Clubs at the Trans Asia Hotel recently.

District Governor Lion K.D.K. Wijenayake also participated.

The noblest of human graces, magnanimity must be developed, made habitual by practice. Magnanimity is given one's self or means with no thought of reward or recognition.

This is the principle underlying the philosophy of Lionism that has brought us together Lion Mahendra of the Lions Club of Galle and Lion K.D.K. of the Lions Club of Pannipitiya, Lion Boteju added.

"As the founder of Lionism, Melvin Jojes observed 88 years ago the Lions Club not only affords the privilege of exercising the role of leadership among one's own peers but also the great opportunity of expressing one's goodwill and magnanimity that lies dormant within the breast of every human being, stressed Lion Boteju stressed.

The honour and achievement of Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya is the greater for the reason that the total membership of Lions members in Sri Lanka does not even represent two per cent of the total membership of the world of Lionism. This certainly is a matter of great pride for our country.

"I believe, that one could say without fear of contradiction that Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya has now become a 'National treasure' to be regarded and respected as such," he said.

Governor K.D.K. Wijenayake is also a Lion of no mean achievement. He has reached this position through diligent work and perseverance and winning many awards in the stride.

International Second Vice President Mahendra Amarasuriya paid a tribute to Lion Vernon Boteju and other Lion members for their effort in organising the felicitation meeting.