Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

Leisha de Silva Chandrasena installed Colombo Central Rotarians 30th President :

As the popular song goes, ‘from a Jack to a King,’ Rotary Club was founded in 1905 in Chicago, USA, by Paul Harris, an Attorney-at-Law, with three of his buddies, sylvester Shield, a coal merchant, Gusvas Loehr, a Mining Engineer and Hiran Sechorey, a Merchant Tailor.

Today Rotary has reached the pinnacle and is one of the foremost service organisations in the world, with over 1.2 million members in 530 clubs worldwide. Rotary began in Sri Lanka in 1929 with the formation of the Rotary Club of Colombo. There are now 65 Rotary Clubs in Sri Lanka.

Rotary Sri Lanka has now become one of the leading service organisations, providing yeoman services to the needy.

Rtn. Leisha de Silva Chandrasena was installed as the 30th President of the Rotary Club of Colombo Central at a glittering ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo. Ambassador for Netherlands Leoni Cuellanacre was the chief guest.

A host of VIPs, distinguished guests, and Rotarians graced the occasion. The chief guest and invitees were conducted to the venue in a colourful procession by Incoming President. Rtn. Leisha de Silva Chandrasena and outgoing President Rtn. Donald Gaminitilleke, after being welcomed at the entrance to the hotel.

Ambassador Leoni Cuelenaere and Incoming President, Rtn. Leisha de Silva Chandrasena addressed the gathering. The new President Rtn. Leisha De Silva Chandrasena thanked the distinguished guests, Rotarians and their ladies for gracing the occasion. Your presence added glamour to this ceremony, she said

Thousands benefit by Mahalwarawa Lions Health Camp

Thousands of villagers from Kottawa, Polgasowita and Mattegoda benefitted immensely by the Multi Service Health Camp conducted by the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa last week.

The mega service project was organised by President of the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge along with District Chairperson, Lion Dhammika Priyantha, under the guidance of Lion Roshan Yapa, Additional Cabinet Secretary of Lion International District 306 C2.

‘My top priority after resuming office as the President of the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, is to offer my free services to the poor, said Dr. Harsha Aluthge, addressing a large gathering present to obtain medical attention and drugs free.

The multi service project held at the Mattegoda Nursing Home Premises included free medical camps, donation of spectacles, dengue awareness programs and other services, with the participation of a large crowd from the Mattegoda Housing scheme, Kottawa and the surrounding areas.

Western Provincial Councellor, Duminda Silva who is also a Lion, was the Chief Guest.

In his speech Lion Duminda Silva said that he was highly impressed by the multi service project organised by the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, which benefitted a large number of poor people. He paid a tribute to President, Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge for the free medical attention provided to the poor and for inviting him as the chief guest for this humanitarian project.

A special feature of the event was the awarding of a gold medal and appreciation badge to Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge by Roshan Yapa who represented Lions International District 306C2, for organising the multi service project which turned out to be a big success.

Lions 306 c Multi Service Project at Homagama September 19-20

The Lions Clubs International District 306 C2 in collaboration with Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha has organised a Multi Service Project at Wilfred Senanayaka Grounds, Homagama on 19th and 20th September from 8.30 a.m. onwards.

The service project will consist of donation of spectacles and lenses, health camp with the participation of specialist doctors, dental camp, donation of school books for 1000 children, diabetes testing and health education, job fair, educational seminars for schoolchildren, carrier guidance program, donations for pregnant mothers, cricket training camp for schoolchildren by prominent trainers, and many more service activities. Those who need assistance can contact Project Advisor PDG Lion Lasantha Goonewardena on 071-4727527 or Project Chairperson, Additional Cabinet Treasurer Lion Sunil Gamage on 071-2717144.

Detail can also be obtained from the special counter at Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha.

Braybrooke Toastmasters Club

In 2007 two Prestigious Companies down Braybrooke Place, Colombo 02. Price Waterhouse Coopers and Metropolitan joined hands and formed The Braybrooke Toastmasters Club.

Toastmasters Niranjan De Silva and Arunasalam Balraj assisted to form this Club. Braybrooke Toastmaster have grown from strength to strength producing four Competent Communicators and was adjudged a Distinguished Club for the year 2008/2009.

The Installation Ceremony of the Braybrooke Toastmasters Club was held at the Pricewater Coopers Auditorium with District Governor, TM M.Z. Saleem as chief guest.

The theme for this year is thrills of success. We as human beings have to sharpen our skills, specially communication.

This could be acheived via Toastmasters, and once you succeed the thrill you experience is something you will cherish for ever, said President Braybrooke Toastmasters Club, Imtiaz Marikar.

Our members have drastically improved their communication skills, erasing the scare of public speaking and thanks to Toastmasters they will be the future leaders in this country and outside, Imtiaz Marikar said.

This year being named as the year of IT and English in Sri Lanka, I am certain Toastmasters will be an icing to the cake.

Our goal for this year is to achieve the President’s Distinguished Club status which every Toastmaster will be proud of, says the President of the Club, Toastmaster Imtiyaz Marikar who is a Competent Toastmaster.

Rotary Club of Kandy Metropolitan Installation ceremony

Rtn. PHF Lucky Galwaduge was installed as the president of the Rotary Clubs of Kandy Metropolitan at a ceremony held at Hotel Topaz, Kandy, which was followed by a dinner dance. District Governor, PHF Suri Rajan was the Chief Guest. Rtn. R. Selvastian was installed as the new Secretary.

Colombo Park Circle Lions present ‘Saranga Naven Avith’

Lions Club of Colombo Park Circle of Lion’s International District 306 C2 will present “Saranga Naven Avith”, a hilarious comedy by Rodney Warnakula, the popular stage actor, on Sunday September 13 at the John de Silva Memorial Hall. All proceeds will go for service projects.

Saranga Naven Avith is relatively a new play produced by Rodney and it has achieved popularity within a short period of time. The organisers are of the view that the “stage drama lovers” who have not seen the play must be there at the John de Silva Memorial Hall on this day to enjoy same.

The Lions Club of Colombo Park Circle which is carrying out effective humanitarian projects is in the process of building two houses for the poor whom the club has already selected. The funds generated from this event will be utilized for this project.

On previous occasions Lions have carried out signature projects such as multi health service programmes, distribution of spectacles, blood donation programmes where we have contributed 900 pints of blood for the war heroes etc.

Come let us enjoy an evening of entertainment, contribute towards the betterment of the society and give shelter to two families, says Club Secretary Enoka de Silva.

Lions District 306 C2 Dengue Awareness Program at Mattegoda

Lions International District 306C-2 launched a dengue awareness program in collaboration with the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa. It was at the Daham Pasela premises, Mattegoda last week.

Lectures to daham pasel students, distribution of books and leaflets, poster competitions and other dengue awareness programs took place. Lion Roshan Yapa, Additional Cabinet Secretary of Lions International District 306 C-2 who is also a Cuban trained dengue specialist, was the chief guest.

Addressing a large gathering of students, Lion Roshan Yapa pointed out the importance of active participation of both children and adults, to eradicate this fatal disease.

He also described the experience he gained in Cuba, where dengue has been successfully eradicated.

Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge, President Lions Club of Mahalwarawa pointed out the importance of preventing the disease as it can lead to fatal complications in a few days after getting the disease.

Lions Club of Mattumagala 19th charter celebration