Club News

Royal Commonwealth Society marks Commonwealth Day

Beverley Jansz

Royal Commonwealth Society Sri Lanka, held the annual Commonwealth Day Observance, at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, in the presence of High Commissioners of the Commonwealth countries represented in Sri Lanka, and a gathering of a large number of members, guests, and invitees.

Chief guest was the High Commissioner for UK in Sri Lanka, Dr. Peter Hayes and Mrs. Kirsty Hayes.

The formal meeting commenced with the National Anthems. President Frederick Medis made the welcome address and thanked all the invitees, members and their guests. He also made specific reference to future plans in programs to be directed to youth in the society and guide them to become successful leaders of tomorrow. Chief Guest Dr. Peter Hayes read the message from Queen Elizabeth II.

Dr. Chris Nonis, Deputy Chairman RCS London, and a Council Member of RCS Sri Lanka, spoke on the Commonwealth theme 09, “the Commonwealth @60: serving a new generation”. He explained the conceptual meaning of the theme and how the younger generation should be given opportunities to become more involved and take active part in the affairs of the community and the country at large.

Sam Wijesinha, Ex-Secretary General of the Parliament, an Ex-Ombudsman of Sri Lanka, a most senior member and a past President of RCS Sri Lanka, spoke on “Commonwealth in the early era”. He traversed the activities of RCS Sri Lanka, from the period of its beginning in 1948.

A Quiz Competition on Commonwealth related subjects was conducted by President Fred Medis. Prizes were distributed to the winners.

A souvenir to mark the 60th anniversary of RCS Sri Lanka was also released.

Secretary S. Yogendranathen in his address mentioned that the lively programs and activities during the recent past were mainly due to the interest shown by the present council members. He thanked all those who had helped in making the event a success.

Past President Tissa Jayaweera was the Master of Ceremonies.

Toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was proposed by President Fred Medis. Chief Guest Dr. Peter Hayes, proposed the Toast to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Rs. 8m service projects by Regional Clubs- Lion Dr. Seba Jayamaha

Beverley Jansz

The Regional Review Seminar of Lion Dr. Seba Jayamaha was held at the Vocational Training Center Hendala, with Advisor to District Governor 306 B1 Past Council Chairperson Lion S. Sivananthan MJF as chief guest.

The keynote speaker was Hypnotherapist and Managing Director of Atamie International School, Dr. Azard Uduman. Zone Chairpersons Lion Shamendra Gunasekera, Lion Mevan Algama, all eight Club Presidents, Lion Dinesh Perera, Lion Noel Sahid, Lion Kusumsiri Mendis, Lion Sulari Cabraal, Lion Emil Liyanage, Lion Janaka Nugera, Lion Rajeev Jayetilake and Lion Hiranjan Perera were present.

In his welcome address Lion Dr. Seba Jayamaha said that clubs should take action to retain their members with the economic hardships ahead. He stressed the importance of clear cut budgets and cost cutting.

The key to increase Lions’ service projects in the near future will be to cut down on cost of Lionism especially ceremonial and fellowship cost.

Lion Dr. Jayamaha acknowledged the support extended to him by Vice District Governor Lion Lakshman Wijesinghe, District Coordinators, Zone Chairpersons, District Chairpersons and all eight clubs in his region at Hunupitiya Bandaranayake National School in organizing the “Mega Multi Service Project” covering 17 service areas benefiting over 2500 people.

These highly visible public service projects give a greater impact to the Lions movement and amply displays to the public what we as Lions do.

He also appreciated the support extended by the members of all eight clubs to District 306 B1 by having participated in numbers at the District Sports Day.

It was a pleasure to watch over 90% of the events being keenly contested and won by the clubs in this region including the “Champion Club” Lions Club of Mabole and the “First Runner Up Club” - Lions Club of Wattala Alliance. On that day, over 70% Lions were from this region. The regional clubs have carried out projects worth Rs. 18 million this fiscal year, Lion Dr. Jayamaha said.

First, Zone Chairperson, Zone 7, Lion Shamendra Gunasekera and Zone Chairperson, Zone 8, Lion Mevan Algama presented their reports.

The keynote Speaker was introduced by President Lions Club of Wattala City, Lion Dinesh Perera. An excellent, inspiring, ideal, much needed topic for Lions, “Mind as a tool for Change” was delivered by Dr. Azard Uduman in his keynote address. Dr. Uduman explained, the qualities that make a person successful, the four temperaments of people, types of intelligence, body language, and emotional states.

Chief Guest was introduced by President Lions Club of Wattala Classic Lion Janake Nugera. Past Council Chairperson Lion S. Sivananthan and Dr. Uduman were highly impressed with the Regional Review Meeting.

They commended administration skills of the Lions of this region. Lion Sivananthan said that out of the eight clubs in the region, five are new clubs but performing extremely well because of the extraordinary leadership given by the two Zone Chairpersons and Region Chairperson.

Vote of thanks was delivered by President Lions Club of Wattala Mid Town, Lion Noel Sahid.

Tremendous response for Lions MC306 Appeal for IDP

The appeal made through the Club News page of the Daily News, last week to Lions and general public by Lions Multiple 306 for donations, for IDP has received a tremendous response, multiple Council 306 Chairman Lion Mahesh Pasqual MJF said.

Large stocks of mew clothes, milk powder for children, bottle water and energy biscuits have been received at the Lions Collection Centre at No. 36, Ward Place, Colombo 7. Cast donations too have been received, Lion Pasqual said.

While thanking all donors he appealed for more donations including cash donations which could be credited to “Lions Clubs International Multiple Council 306 IDP Assistance Fund Account No. 1106013630 at any branch of the Commercial Bank.

Toastmastering for Teenagers

Celebrating 25 years of public speaking leadership in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Toastmasters Club announced the award of charter to The Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club by Toastmasters International, Inc., USA.

The Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club was extended by the Colombo Toastmasters Club to create opportunities for teenagers and young adults to gain the benefits of public speaking and leadership skills which are taught at the Gavel Club meetings.

The Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club consists of young people from diverse backgrounds and different ethnicities, representing different educational establishments.

The Club meets every first and third Tuesday of the month to develop its members’ communication and leadership skills. Those interested in joining the Gavel Club can call Chanil on 077-315-8595, Janith on 077-652-4164, or email at [email protected].

Commenting on the charter award, Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club President Chanil De Silva, explained, “Effective oral communication is essential for success in life. Some are natural communicators and find it easier to acquire these skills than others.

But it is a skill in which everyone can improve. As our power to communicate improves our self-confidence grows and our relationships with others improve and deepen.

All that it takes is patience, preparation, an open mind to receive constructive feedback, the ability to learn from others and one’s own mistakes, the courage to try, a lot of practice, a sense of humour, and perseverance. And for those who find oral communication easy there is always room for improvement”.

The President of The Colombo Toastmasters Club, Yukthi Gunasekera, observed, that “the Gavel Club paves the way for a generation of new leaders not only with the ability to express themselves clearly, sincerely, and convincingly, but the Gavelliers’ experience also gives our future leaders the power to communicate with others effectively, develop their thinking faculties, be open to new ideas, listen actively to others, acquire a vast store of general knowledge, develop an interest in current affairs, further enhance their vocabulary, inspire an active imagination, connect with any audience, and build self confidence and poise.

In short, the Gavel Club provides the ‘ingredients of success’ to future leaders.

The Colombo

Toastmasters Club Contact
Marini De Livera
Vice President Public Relations
The Colombo Toastmasters Club
24 Welikadawatte Road
Rajagiriya
Sri Lanka.
Mobile: 0714-810-979 /
0717-800-771
Email: [email protected]
http://www.toastmasters.org/

Toastmasters International District 82 Conference - “Ovation 2009”

Romayne Diaz PR Convenor

Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization with its presence in 106 countries through 12,036 clubs and over 235,000 members worldwide. Toastmasters are committed to the development of Communication and Leadership skills at all levels in “people development”.

The Toastmasters movement in Sri Lanka is in its 25th year of service and has grown rapidly in recent times from two clubs in 2003 to thirty clubs this year.

The increasing realization of the need for effective communication skills to succeed in a competitive environment is driving people to acquire these skills through the services we render.

Toastmasters clubs in Sri Lanka have combined with clubs in India to form District 82 of Toastmasters International, comprising in total around 140 clubs. Through them, we intend extending our services islandwide to serve a wider cross-section of the community.

Our district will hold its Convention in Sri Lanka between May 22 and 24, 2009, with the attendance of the incoming world president of Toastmasters International, Ms Pat Johnson.

She, together with an eminent faculty of Toastmasters from India and Sri Lanka will conduct the educational workshops for both toastmasters and the general public.

The inauguration of the 3 day event is scheduled to take place at the BMICH on Friday May 22 with the educational sessions to follow on Saturday 23 at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

A speech contest, featuring prepared speeches and impromptu speeches, will be held on Sunday 24. We expect to receive around 650 participants, which includes 200 Indian nationals.

Series of service projects by Lions Club of Kantale Heroes

The newly formed Lions Club of Kantale Heroes which was inaugurated on February 6, this year has launched a series of projects to give a helping hand to the so far illfacilitated people of the Trincomalee District.

As the first step they have organized a lecture series for the ordinary level students on reproductive health, conducted by Dr. P.A. Denegama, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist of the Base Hospital, Kantale.

The inaugural lecture in this series was held in the remote school, T/Mahavelipura Vidyalaya at Suriyapura, Kantale.

This school has been adjudged one of the rapidly developed rural schools in Sri Lanka in 2008, in the survey conducted by the National Institute of Education.

Madampe-Mahawewa Lions donate houses to the poor

Lions Clubs of Madampe-Mahawewa constructed 31 houses with water supply and toilet facilities for the underprivileged at Iddamalgama, Nattandiya.

District Governor, 306 B-1, Lion Nimal Rajapakse (right) and District Coordinator Lion S. Jeyavathsalan (left) opening the housing scheme. Others in the picture are First Lady Geetha Rajapakse, Lion Lady Shayanthini, Club President, Lion E. H. D. Udayaratne and Lion Lady Irine Victor.	DG Nimal Rajapakse opens the water scheme of the housing project. Others in the picture are (from left) District Coordinator, Lion Weerawansa Kumarasiri, Club President Lion E. H. D. Udayaratne, District Coordinator Lion N. S. Victor, District Coordinator, Lion S. Jeyavathsalan, and Lion W. P. Disaratne.

A cash donation of US dollars 600 was presented to Secretary, Sri Lanka Council of the Blind S. L. Hettiarachchi by Ahamahaed Al Amondi of Amondi Foundation, Saudi Arabia for the purchase of white cane and talking watches for the blind. Here Ahamahaed Al Amondi (centre) presenting the cast donation to S. L. Hettiarachchi. At right is Lion M. Ashroff Hussian, President, Lions Club of Colombo West and Deputy President, Sri Lanka Council of the Blind.	The Diabetis Association of Sri Lanka conducted a free screening and prevention program at the Community Hall, Bambalapitiya for persons under 40 years. In the picture from left are Dr. Asiri, President Colombo West Lions Club Lion Ashroff Hussain P. Karunanandan, P. Kandasamy and Ms. Farzana members of the Diabetic Centre, Administrative Secretary, Diabetic Centre, Ms. Sonali Diabetic Centre members Hansi and Peshala, screening a patient.	Lions Club of Colombo West celebrated their 42nd Charter Anniversary at the Capri Club Colombo, with District Governor 306 A-2, Lion S. K. Karunasekara as the chief guest. Lion Ashroff Hussain was appointed as the President of the Lions Club of Colombo West for the third time. Here District Governor, 306A-2 Lion S. K. Karunasekera (left) congratulates Lion Ashroff Hussain with the presentation of the District Governor’s medal. At extreme left is outgoing President, Lion Pradeep Edirisooriya.