Lion Mahesh Pasqual MJF District Governor 2007-08

Beverley JANSZ

Lion Mahesh Pasqual hails from Matugama and is a proud product of Ananda College, Colombo. He not only excelled in studies and sports, but also was deeply religious.

He was the General Secretary of the All Ceylon Buddhist Student’s Federation (ACBSF).

He received his B.Sc Engineering degree from the University of Peradeniya and later obtained conferment as

Chartered Engineer from the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka.

While at the University his leadership qualities were exhibited as a student leader and member of the Students’ Council. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lincoln, UK.

Lion Mahesh is the Chairman/Managing Director of Isuru Engineering (Pte) Ltd, a leading construction company, which pioneered export of construction industry. In addition he is also Managing Director of many other companies.

His father Edward Lionel Pasqual is a landed proprietor and mother Hemalatha Pasqual, a retired teacher of Ananda College, Colombo 10.

Invited to join the Lions Club of Colombo Somerset in 1996, Mahesh joined the club as a Charter member and after holding many posts in the Board of Directors, Mahesh became its President in 2000/2001.

His leadership and vision made the club receive 18 achievement awards that year and he was adjudged the Best President - 1st runner up.

The next years saw Lion Mahesh in the District Cabinet as Zone Chairman, Region Chairman, Deputy Cabinet Secretary and finally as District Cabinet Secretary, before being elected as the Vice District Governor 2006-2007.

He was awarded the prestigious International President’s Leadership medal for his outstanding leadership qualities.

For outstanding assistance afforded to Multiple District 105, during the tsunami Mahesh was awarded the Multiple District Appreciation Award of District 105.

He has served in every convention steering committee from 1998 to date. Successive District Governors recognized the leadership qualities of Lion Mahesh. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow and has been the recipient of Appreciation Certificates from five International Presidents.

He is married to Lion Lady Dr. Manel, who graduated from the University of Ruhuna and who obtained her Masters in Surgery in the Colombo Campus.

She is currently the Consultant Eye Surgeon at the Eye Hospital, Colombo.

Her contribution to Lions Sight Restoration Programme is praiseworthy and is deeply appreciated by the Lions and the public. She has received many appreciation awards from all the Districts in Multiple 306.

In addition the Lion Sight First Hospital has recognised her for her exemplary service. In recognition of her services, the Multiple District awarded the Multiple Gold star award to her during 2005-2006.

Their daughter Imasha, who is still pursuing her school career is an active participant at most Lions projects.

Kelaniya Rotary Club launches “Diriyata Saviya”

Edward WEERASINGHE, Kelaniya group correspondent

‘Diriyata Saviya’ scholarship programme initiated by Rotary Club of Kelaniya was launched at the Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya auditorium, Kiribathgoda, Kelaniya recently.

Rotarian Amitha Mallawaarachchi, Project Director addressing the gathering stated that ‘Diriyata Saviya’ scholarship programme aims at providing financial and other assistance to the needy children at the Kelaniya area.

He further confirmed that a batch of 20 children were selected based on their examination results in G.C.E. Ordinary Level 2006 and eligible to follow GCE Advanced Level classes. They will receive a monthly grant for a period of two years.

Rotarian RTN Ravi Adihetty, Secretary, Rotary Club of Kelaniya, said Rotary Club of Sri Lanka launched thousands of projects in all parts of the island to bring relief to the underprivileged, some of them being building houses for shanty dwellers providing them clean water and sewerage facilities, and development of villages etc.

‘Diriyata Saviya’ scholarship programme launched by Rotary Club of Kelaniya is also one of the projects mainly for the underprivileged.

Mrs. Anoma Abeyratne, Principal Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda, Kelaniya, Mrs. D. L. Padmaseeli, Principal, Vishaka Balika Vidyalaya, Sapugaskanda, Kelaniya, Chandra Fernando, Charter President and D. H. R. N. Seneviratne, President, Kelaniya Rotary Club addressed the gathering.

Award certificates and Savings Pass Books were distributed to the winners at this meeting.

Somasiri Medawatte, Principal, Wedamulla Maha Vidyalaya, proposed the vote of thanks.

Badulla Lions donate spectacles and computer to Prison

The Lions Club of Badulla donated 350 spectacles and a computer to the inmates of the Badulla Prison.

Prior to the donation of spectacles, a screening programme was carried out to test the eyes of inmates.

Chief guest on the occasion was District Governor, 306 C2, Lion Priyanka Beddewithana. Deshabandu Lion Nimal Bulathsinhala, District Governor’s Special Coordinator for Image Building, was also present on the occasion.

In the picture is District Governor, Lion Priyantha Beddewithana donating a spectacle.

Below District Governor hands over the computer to Chief Jailor, M. Akbar. Club President Lion Harin Fernando, Club Secretary Lion Mahinda Alwis, Club Treasurer, Deshapriya Gajanayaka and members of the Lions Club of Badulla are also in the picture.

Innerwheel District 322 District Assembly

Nimal PERERA, Wattala Group Corr

Priyanthi Perera a past president and an active member of the Inner Wheel Club of Wattala was installed as the new District Chairman of the Inner Wheel District 322 at the District Assembly held at Chaaya Citadel Hotel Kandy recently.

Priyanthi who was the Vice District Chairman in the year 2006/2007 was installed by the outgoing District Chairman, Mangales Pathmanathan who was the chief guest too.

The new committee members for the year 2007/2008 of the Inner Wheel District 322 are Marie Mendis (District International Service Chairman), Swarna Soyza (District Secretary), Indira Kandasamy (District Vice Chairman),

 Kanthi Fernandopulle (National Representative), Mangales Pathmanathan (Imm.Past District Chairman), Ranjini Mahenthiran (District Extension Service Chairman), Roshani Pieris (District Treasurer) and Sweenitha Fernando (District Editor).

Several service projects including a community center and a library and donation of books to libraries islandwide were launched during the year of 2006/2007.

The new District Chairman Priyanthi Perera has planned to launch a number of important projects comprising donation of equipments to the Paediatric ward of the Cancer Hospital and a massive islandwide tree planting campaign to improve the environment.

The Rotary District Governor Thariq Thulba and representatives of Inner Wheel Clubs in the district also participated.

Moratuwa Lions Club Office Bearers

President: Lion Priyalal de Silva; Imm. Past President: Lion Royce Fernando; 1st Vice President: Lion Deshapriya Visundara; 2nd Vice President: Lion Naresh Jayawardane; 3rd Vice President: Lion Percy Ranasinghe; Secretary: Lion Manjula Welegedara; Treasurer: Lion Gladwin Fernando; Asst. Secretary: Lion Shyamala de Silva; Lion Tamer: Lion E. A. P. Perera; Membership Director: Lion Cassian Fernando; Leo Advisors: Lion Samitha Perera, and Lion Saliya Wijeratne; Chairman-L/Ladies Committee: Lion Nalin Wijeratne; Bulletin Editor: Lion Shyamala de Silva; Director-1st Year: Lion Wickramasinghe Bowalagaha, Lion Christy Fernando, Lion Kamal Fernando, Lion Viraj Fernando, Lion E. A. P. Perera, Lion L. S. Perera, Lion Sarath Vidyaratne; Directors-2nd Year: Lion Srimal Amarasuriya, Lion Wilfred Cooray, Lion Srinath Fernando, Lion Eddie Nanayakkara; Co-op Members: Lion Premathilaka De Silva, Lion Shyamala de Silva,Lion Tissa Gunethilake.