Club News

Lion Dr. Malcolm Stanislaus for 2nd VDG

Beverley Jansz

A special meeting was held by the Lions Club of Hendala, at the Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo, to announce the candidature of Dr. Lion Malcolm Stanislaus, for the post of 2nd Vice District Governor, 2009/2010, for the Lions District 306 B1. This meeting was presided over by Governor Lions District 306 B1, Lion Nimal Rajapaksa, MJF.

At the head table from left are PCC Lion Mohan de Silva, Chairman of Council of Past Governors, Lion K. Thillainathan, MJF, VDG Lion Lakshman Wijesinghe, DG, Chief Guest Lion Nimal Rajapakse, President Lions Club of Hendala, Lion Romali Abeysekera, PID, Lion Chuck Wijenathan and IDPG Lion S. Raghavan. Pix. Beverley Jansz

Lion Dr. Malcolm Stanislaus and Lion Lady Lilamani being conducted to the venue in a colourful procession.

A large & distinguished gathering of Lions, Lion Ladies, Leo's & well wishers were present to witness the announcement & wish Lion Dr. Malcolm success in his chosen endeavour. A Dental Surgeon by profession, Lion Dr. Malcolm joined the Lions Club of Hendala, in the year 1983 as a Charter member.

Since then, he has held numerous positions in the club & the district. He was the president of the Lions Club of Hendala in the year 1986/87, secretary & treasurer of the Club on many occasions, Leo Advisor on two occasions & Club Director since its inception. As a member of the District Cabinet, he has held important positions such as Zone Chairman, District Chairman & presently serves as the Deputy Cabinet Secretary.

Dr. Malcolm is a live wire behind the success of the Lions Sight First Hospital, situated in Hendala. Presently he serves on the Board of Management of the Hospital & functions as its Chief Administrator. In this endeavor, he is well supported by his wife Lion Lilamani, who too participates on a daily basis, assisting the needy, at the Sight First Hospital.

Lion Dr. Malcolm is an affable personality who is loved & liked by all those who associate him. He is an unassuming, dedicated Lion, who has lived by its motto, executing all tasks undertaken by him diligently and in silence. He has won numerous awards and recognition for the services rendered to Lionism.

As a professional, he is a member of the Organization of Professionals Association (OPA) and a past president of the Sri Lanka Dental Association. During his tenure as the president he was instrumental in launching an educational fund and hosted the International Dental Congress in Colombo, in 2000.

Thanking all those who have attended this colourful meeting, Lion Dr. Malcolm went on to explain his main goals & reason out why he seek this high & prestigious office.

Addressing the Voting Delegates, Lion Dr. Malcolm stated that the respective clubs have selected delegates because they have utmost trust in them & faith that they will make the right decision.

Commenting on some salient points which characterizes his personality, he went on to state that voting delegates should consider these points in respect of his own candidature; if it may help them arrive at the correct decision. He requested them to take cognizance of his experience and maturity in Lionism which spans 25 years.

His past track record as an able leader, having lead the Sri Lanka Dental Association as its president in the year 2000/2001, speaks volumes of his leadership skills. His impeccable Honesty, integrity, dependability & reliability has made him earn the respect of all those who have come in to contact with him.

Lion Dr. Malcolm's contribution to Lionism by way of conducting Mega Projects for the betterment of the society has created a big impact for Lionism amongst all communities.

Lion Calistus Jeyetileke for VDG 11

Beverley Jansz

The announcement meeting of Lion Calistus Jayetileke for Vice District Governor 11, of Lion District 306B-1 was held at YMCA International Hall Kurana.

A large gathering of distinguish guests, governors, lion and lion ladies were present to sanction Lion Jayetileke’s candidature for Vice District Governor 11.

District Coordinator, Lion Calistus Jayetileke addressing Lions at his announcement meeting. Others in the picture all (from left) Himashini de Silva, Malik de Silva, Hiran Jayetileke, Lion Chrishanthi Jayetilleke, and Subashini Jayatileke.

Lion Calisus Jayetileke being conducted to the venue in a colourful procession.

Addressing the gathering, Lion Calistus Jayetileke said that his club always played an important role in all district activities. “I am confident that my fellow Lions and the partners in service will vesta to this important occasion and continue to execute a very important roll in meeting the challenges of the future.

He recognised the Lions Club of Katunayake, Seeduwa which was sponsored by the Lions Club of Negombo Orient where he began his Lionistic career having been sponsored by Lion Ranjith Fernando.

I am sure that all of you will agree that a strong and dynamic leadership is vital for the Lions movement to go from strength to strength.

Effective Leadership is the basic resource needed today when we meet he new challenges our country is faced with. I presume it is paramount that a Leader’s objective must meet the needs of making sincerely and effectively utilizing its Lion members to perform to their fullest potential specially in areas of natural disasters and when the need arises.

With the experiences I have obtained in serving at all responsible levels of leadership at Club Level as a Zone and Region Chairperson as a Cabinet secretary to Immediate Past District Governor Lion S. Raghavan under whose able guidance I gained a lot of experience and carried out my duties with distinction and currently serving as a District Co-ordinator. I decided that it was the appropriate time to seek the office of the second vice District Governor in the year 1009/10.

I whole heatedly accept the challenges ahead with confidence and look forward to greater achievements with the kind cooperation of all you Lions and Lion Ladies.

I will certainly evolve the experience gained in my professional life as a Superintendent on Prestigious Tea Estates and as a Senior Human Resources Manager in Foreign Companies because I firmly believe that my professional Principles will assist and guide me to administer to the needs of the District effectively and efficiently, Lion Calistus Jayetileke said.

I wish to mention that my Lady Lion Chrishanthi is highly involved in all lionistic activities.

Our eldest son Hiran being a IT Engineer and our youngest daughter Himashini, Banker by profession are both happily married and to-gether with their respective partners are a source of support and encouragement in all my Lionistic endeavours.

Having accomplished my personal commitments. I wish to devote my time and resources as a Leader par excellence to the world’s largest service organization serving those in need.

I am fully aware of the responsibilities of a District Governor and undertake to work hand in hand with the District Governor in Office if you chose to elect me, to the post of second Vice District Governor.

Gift to “Freedom Home” from Wattala Leos Colombo Orient Lions

Freedom Home’ a transit place for the mentally handicapped is located down Goomis Mawatha in Kelaniya and is being managed by Samanthi Sagarika Perera, a kind hearted lady with a small team of helpers.

She has given her home away for the benefit of those mentally ill and lives in another house in the vicinity. The home does not receive any form of regular funds, hence depends on the support of donors and volunteers.

The dilapidated state of this home and the hardships these less fortunate people go through were identified by the Leos of the Club of Wattala. Having understood the dire need to uplift the living conditions of the inmates, Wattala Leos were determined to upgrade the standards of this home up to a minimum level where normal human beings can live hygienically.

However, given the financial constraints the Leo Club was faced with, the members approached the President of the Lions Club of Colombo Orient Lion Amal Samaratunga and his Lion Lady Priyanthi Samaratunga for help.

On a humble request made by Leos Club of Wattala, Lion Amal Samaratunga and Lion Lady Priyanthi with a few other members of the club, visited the home and were completely touched by the state of affairs at the time.

The entrance to the home was water logged with a pool of mud, no proper kitchen to cook but only a shed in a dilapidated condition and no place for the inmates to sit and eat. The wooden doors of the toilets were rotten and falling off in pieces and there was no bathing facility or a drainage system for the waste water.

Gemi Aruna by DG Lion Karunasekera

The ‘Gemi Aruna’ program to develop under developed villages in the District which is the brain child of the District Governor - District 306A2, Lion S.K. Karunasekera, has provided immense services to the needy.

Under this program, various clubs conducted many meaningful projects of providing assistance to pre-schools, donation of computers to Dhamma Schools, conducting health camps, distribution of spectacles and many other service projects.

Mahadurupitiya village was one of the most remote villages off Galpatha and there is no centre for the villagers to assemble to discuss matters of common nature. Even for a slightest rain fall this area goes under water and the villagers have to experience immense difficulties to go ahead with their day to day work.

One of the main ambitions of the District Governor was to build a Community Centre for the people living in this village.

This challenge was undertaken by the President of Lions Club of Alubomulla, Lion Yamuna de Fonseka and she collected funds from well-wishers, business associates, friends and relations and constructed the community centre at a cost of nearly Rs. 750,000 within a short period of six months for the use of the people.