Dayan brings credit to Sri Lanka

A Management Consultant and a Trainer who is the past President of the Serendib Toastmasters Club and the present Charter President of the CIM Toastmasters Club Dayan D.L. Fernando emerged the winner of the Toastmasters International (TMI) District 82 Table Topics speech contest held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

The win was very significant since seven of the nine finalists were from India. The finalist who battled it out with the witty impromptu speeches had to first win the club, then the area and finally the division competitions before coming on to the finals of the District. District 82 consists of nine Divisions with over 150 clubs from India and Sri Lanka.

This was the first year when Sri Lanka and India had gained its full District status from TMI.

Dayan who joined the Toastmasters movement four years ago has already made his mark in the Communication and Leadership fields. He has been awarded the Competent Communicator (CC), Advanced Communicator (ACB) and the Advanced Leader (AL) by Toastmasters International (TMI).

Dayan said, “Toastmasters has taught me many things, not only the communication and leadership skills, but how to take victory and defeat also how to interact with many cultures.

But mostly it has given me great friends from all over the world. Today I can go to many countries and find a friend, because of Toastmasters.”

He said, “I think we all have some great talent hidden inside. It’s your attitude that will bring it out. People will try to put you down at times.

But each time you get up and run, you run faster and you are steadier. Just believe in yourself.

If you haven’t found out your talent, just join the Toastmaster’s movement. It will help you find it for you.”