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District 306 C2 Governor Priyanka Baddevithana:

Beverley JANSZ

INTERNATIONAL Association of Lions Clubs is the world’s largest and most active service organisation that has a present membership of over 1.3 million in 202 countries.

It was born 90 years ago on June 7, 1917 in Chicago, USA with the vision of its founder Melvin Jones to create a global fellowship of the finest people bonded in humanitarian service to uplift communities they represent under the motto “We Serve.”

The International Association has over 700 districts and District 306 C2 Sri Lanka covers a wide geographical area in five provinces of Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Western with 95 community-based Lions Clubs and a membership of 3,300 service minded people.

Lion Priyanka Baddevithana was elected as Governor of District 306 C2 for 2007/2008, a special Lionistic year distinguished as the Golden Jubilee of Lionism in Sri Lanka and was installed in office on July 6 at the International Convention held in Chicago USA.

With formative education at Royal College, Colombo, his academic endeavours have progressed through many prestigious institutions including Harrow College of University of Westminster, UK, Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Postgraduate Institute of Kelaniya where he has just completed a PhD with a thesis on Psychology of Personality Development.

He is a member of the Association of Professional Bankers, PIM Professionals Association, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing and a Certified Professional Marketer of the Asia Pacific Marketing Federation.

His record of academic achievements include a BA, MA and MBA, but he holds in high esteem the tutelage received from the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka and the Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies of Kelaniya University. Priyanka has a professional career in management, and banking spanning in UK and Sri Lanka for over 20 years.

Lion Priyanka was invited to join the Lions Club of Thimbirigasyaya in 1992, and along his ascent of fifteen years to become District Governor, he has held numerous leadership positions at both Club and District level, and counts four special International Presidential appreciations and Certification as a Guiding Lion.

His theme for the Lionistic year that began on July 01, 2007 is “Dawn of a Golden Era” and his mission is to establish dignity and integrity through a Lion membership that serves society with honesty and sincerity of purpose.

The main thrust of Lionism has been in the arena of caring for visually handicapped and sight conservation rising to the challenge of Helen Keller to be the Knights of the Blind and Crusaders against Darkness in 1925.

In 2007/2008 District Governor’s Top Priority for 306 C2 is to fulfil this mission by conducting scientific eye screening camps spearheaded by Chairman of Optometric Association Sandaka Lenagala who is District Governor’s Programme Coordinator for ‘Gift of Sight’.

The target segments are identified as members clergy, schoolchildren, seniors and public servants with special priority given for the Police and Service personnel as guardians of justice and liberty.

Image Building is the bounden duty of every member as growth of the depends upon the reputation of Lions as a meaningful organization changing society for the better, and International President Mahendra Amarasuriya’s theme this year is “Challenge to Change.” This mission is spearheaded by Deshabandu Nimal Bulathsinghala who is a Special District Coordinator.

Under Hearing and Speech Action District 306 C2 responded to the call of Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf by empowering its members to begin fundraising for their proposed vocational training centre by organizing a “Walk for the Deaf” with a dual propose of popularising ‘Sign language’ as an effective medium of communication.

District Governor’s wife Lion Lady Lalani Baddevithana is the patron of the Lion Ladies Association working on an agenda of child development and women’s empowerment. This programme is spearheaded by Mrs. Indrani Weeratunga and Chief Advisor is Vice District Governor Buddheni de Z. Gunasekera.

Lions renovate children’s ward

The Premature Baby Unit of the Thambuttegama Base Hospital was renovated to modern standards by Lions District 306 B2.

At the handing over ceremony held at the Thambuttegama Base Hospital, District Governor, 306 B2, Mahesh Pasqual said that children are our assets, and therefore they should be kept in good health.

To upkeep premature born babies, mothers take great care. Therefore service clubs should carry out projects of this nature to help little children, Lion Pasqual said.

In the picture are Dr. Suren Jayawardene, Consultant Paediatrician, Thambuttegama Base Hospital, District Governor, 306 B2 Lion Mahesh Pasqual and Project Chairman, Lion Viraj Wickramasinghe at the ceremony held at the Thambuttegama Base Hospital to hand over the renovated ward.

306 A-2 Lions excel at Lions Golden Jubilee Parade

Lions Clubs International District 306 A2 emerged winners at the Lions Golden Jubilee Parade organised by the Multiple District 306, under the patronage of Lions International President, Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya.

The colourful event was held around the Viharamahadevi Park on October 6 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Lionism in Sri Lanka.

Lions Clubs International District 306 A2 were victorious among the six districts in the Multiple District 306. They won the “Best decorated Float”, “Best orderly marching delegation,” Best Uniform”, Best Dancing Troupes, Best participation (Region wise) and Best participation (Zone-wise).

306 B2 Lion Ladies present ‘Stairway to the Stars’ in aid of “Gift of Sight”

The Lion Ladies Association of the International Association of Lions Club District 306 B2 will present “Stairway to the Stars”, an evening of music and dance with “Friends in Harmony” and Chandana Wickremasinghe and “The Dance Guild”.

The show is in aid of the “Gift of Sight”. “Stairway to the Stars” will be held at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo on November 24 at 7 p.m.

Lion Lady (Dr) Manel Pasqual, Patron, Lion Ladies Association of Lions District 306 B2 said that the “Gift of Sight” is a Mobile Unit fully equipped with the most modern technology to detect cataract and other eye disorders.

She also said that the Unit will reach remote villages and afford free eye screening in those areas and detect them for further medical treatment.

All eye hospitals in the district have agreed to treat patients detected at the Lion Mobile Unit.

Further details of this worthy cause organised by the Lion Ladies Association of the International Association of Lions Club District 306 B2, can be obtained from No. 36, Ward Place, Colombo 7. (Tel. 5665988 and 2679650 - Rehana). BJ

Inter School Quiz Contest by Lions International

W.M.N.V. Wijenayake, Wadduwa Roving Corr.

The International Association of Lions Clubs celebrating 50 years of Lionism in Sri Lanka, organised an Inter School Quiz contest among the schools in Sri Lanka.

The children are not in the habit of reading today.

Therefore the aim of this contest is to develop a reading habit among children. October is the month of reading and this contest is held to coincide with this. The contest was conducted in over 100 centres throughout Sri Lanka on October 20.

Children in Grades 10-13 participated in this competition. The questions covered the syllabus of these grades and current affairs.

The winning teams from each centre were selected for the second round. Four schools from each district scoring highest marks were selected for another Inter School Quiz Programme “Seth Saviya” conducted by the National Radio Channel.

Seminars to educate children on child abuse

Panadura group corr.

Lions Club of Boralesgamuwa with the cooperation of Desabandu Tennakoon SSP Nugegoda has launched a programme in 42 police stations to hold seminars to educate children on child abuse and crime.

About Toastmasters

Toastmasters International empowers people to achieve their full potential and make their dreams through members. People throughout the world can improve their communication and leadership skills and feel the courage to change.

Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective communication a worldwide reality.

Toastmasters club news

The club officer training programme concluded on Sunday with very good participation from 22 toastmaster clubs islandwide.

The humorous speech contest will be held in November.

The Colombo Toastmasters Club meets every 2nd Tuesday and 4th Tuesday at the Hotel Taj Samudra. Anyone interested in joining the Serendib Toastmasters Club, may join the club at their meetings held every second and fourth Tuesday at the Ceylon Hotel School Training Centre, at Colombo 3.

Contact Romayne Diasz on 5752256, 0722248827 for further assistance. The Inter Club cricket match will be held on November 1, at Shalika Grounds.

Toastmaster 6 A Side Tournament

The above tournament is fixed for November 4 at Shalika Grounds Narahenpita. All clubs are entitled to enter one team and clubs having more than 25 members can enter two teams.

This will be a family get to gather and therefore wives and children too could joind. There will be food stalls and a kiddies corner to keep the children entertained while we are playing cricket, says. Romayne Diasz - Public Relations and Media Convenor.

The International Dumb Day organised by the Sri Lanka Dumb Children’s Parents Association was held at the Ragama Basilica Maha Vidyalaya recently.This was sponsored by the Biyagama Lions Club.Here the Chief Guest 306 B2 District Governor Mahesh Pasqual lights the traditional oil lamp to inaugurate the event. Sri Lanka Dumb Children’s Parents Association Patron Sr. Charmaine Mendis Lions District Chairman Deshashakthi Hemal Weerasinghe and Biyagama Lions Club President Jayantha Chandrasiri were also present. Malwana group correspondent

Lion Kamal Senevirathna, District Governor 306 A2 is handing over a Radio Set to a visually handicapped at the Public Library Auditorium recently to mark the International White Cane Day. Regional Chairman Lion S. Sekar is also in the picture. Picture by: Ruzaik Farook, Colpetty Correspondent