CLUB NEWS

PDG Lion Lasantha Goonewardena Worthy of Emulation

Beverley Jansz

Being a committed Lion you can change the lives of the less fortunate - an example set by PDG Lion Lasantha Goonewardena

A product of Royal College, Colombo, young Lasantha was a leader among the leaders of an outstanding quality even while at school. His desire to serve his fellow

beings and obligations towards the less fortunate was quite evident. The crowning glory of his school career was when he mobilized his colleagues in school and with the support of the people in the remote village, Haldola in Nivitigala to build 78 houses with all amenities which was named ‘Rajasisugama’Model Village. Even to date this project stands out as the largest ever service done by any school in the island. In recognition of his outstanding leadership late President J.R. Jayawardene decorated young Lasantha with the National Leadership Award.

Lasantha was inducted as a Lion in the year 1993 as a member of the Lions Club of Colombo Mid City where he held all the important positions.

He was invited to the District Cabinet in the year 2001/2002 as the District Chairman in charge of the Leos where he extended 25 new Leo Clubs and brought about a revival in the Leo activities in the District. Since then he was invited to serve in every District Cabinet.

For his contribution towards the cause of Lionism he has been recognized seven times by International Presidents and is a recipient of the Key of Nation award for membership growth, International Leadership Medal, International Presidential Medal and many other District, Multiple District and International awards too numerous to mention.

He was the proud recipient of most prestigious “LION OF THE YEAR AWARD” in year 2004/2005.

He was elected as a District Governor, District 306C2 in the year 2006/2007 and has accomplished the following services to the community very successfully with the help of his fellow Lions, International Lions and the LCIF which is a funding arm of Lions Clubs International.

Membership Growth

Net growth of 1457 members during the year, Extension of 30 new Lions Clubs including two Leo Lions Clubs, three New Century Clubs and one Campus Club, Participated in Worldwide Induction Day and Family Inaugural Event, Urban and Rural club twinning program to share the resources, Enroled 324 women as Lions in many clubs in the District.

Leadership Development

Donation of spectacles to the needy by PDG Lion Lasantha Goonewardena.	Opening of Computer Training Centre at Eheliyagoda, by PDG Lion Lasantha Goonewardena. Vice District Governor, Lion Lal Manuelge, Lion Premasinghe Kuruppu and Lion S. Samarasinghe are also in the picture.
Opening of ‘Sinhakantha Piyasa’ a house donated to a needy family, by PDG Lasantha Goonewardena.	PDG’s son donating books to needy children

Residential workshop for 205 key club officers, Residential workshop for 150 Cabinet Officers, Residential camp for Cabinet Officers at Kukulegama, Residential Camp for Club Presidents at Ratnaloka Hotel Ratnapura, Represented at the ISSAMI Forum, Senior Lions workshop and faculty leadership workshop in India, Leadership development for younger generation at multi service projects, Leadership development camps for schoolchildren.

Image Building

Erecting Lions Message Boards (hoardings) in Major Cities, Lions Peace Marathons at Ratnapura, Colombo, Nawalapitiya and Ampara, Lions Peace Cycle Races at Colombo, Balangoda and Ratnapura, Publication of colourful monthly news magazine for the District, Media conferences to brief the activities of the district projects, Printing and Distribution of 103,000 exercise books with Lions Message and distributing them to the schoolchildren, Up to date District Website, International Club twinning and youth exchange program.

Disaster Relief

Assistance to Landslide victims in Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, Assistance to Flood victims in Ratnapura and Ampara Districts, Assistance to refugees in Eastern Province, 140 tents for the displaced people with the help of LCI.

More Opportunities for Youth

Establishment of 18 Vocational Training Centers creating employment opportunities, Self-employment opportunities for 1000 youths under Sinhasaviya programme, Donation of sewing machines and computers, Establishment of Lions Job Bank, Youth Talent competitions, Extension of 08 New Leo Clubs, Spotlight on children program to assist needy children, International Youth Camp with the participation of youth from UK, Japan, Netherlands, Holland, Germany, Spain and Hong Kong, 03 day Youth Camp at Dehiattakandiya for Leos.

During the Camp Leos stayed with villagers and studied the village culture and habits of the villagers, Sports Recreational:- Six a side cricket tournament, Inter School Football, Volleyball Carrom, and Badminton tournaments, Cricket coaching camps in Homagama, Ratnapura and Ampara with the participation of national coaches, Providing sports equipment to schools and youth organizations, Cultural and Musical contests, Recognition of young people for new inventions, bravery and exceptional achievements.

Signature Projects

Completion of ‘Sinhaarana’ Elders Home at a cost of Rs. 10 million, Completed 20 houses in Kalutara for Tsunami victims, Completed 82 houses in Sengamam Potuvil for Tsunami victims, Ground floors were completed in Valachchenai/Batticaloa and Kaluwanchikudy Child Care and vocational training centers, World Children’s Day celebrations with the participation of over 10,000 children, Completed Pottuvil Childcare and Vocational Training Center, Work commenced on 50 houses in Ampara for Tsunami victims.

Y’s Men’s South Western District Conference - Sept. 19

The Y’s Men’s South Western District Conference will be held on Saturday September 19, at the Resort Restaurant (CCC), Maitlan Crescent, Colombo 7, from 6.30 p.m. Registration will take place at 6 p.m.

It will be presided over by the District Governor, V. Ariyaratnam. Chief guest for the occasion will be the Regional Director, Michael Mathysz.

The guest speaker will be Hilary Fernando.

Lions Club of Grandpass Installation Ceremony

The 33rd Installation Ceremony of the Lions Club of Grandpass in Lions International District 306B2 was held at Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo. 2nd Vice District Governor, 306B2, Lion Jayantha Gunawardena MJF was the chief guest. Immediate Past President, Lion P.J. Kulendrarajah MJF handed over the charter to incoming President Lion K. Manivannan.

Lion Manivannan requested club members and all those who were present to assist him to take the club to greater heights.

In the picture, seated, from left are Pearl Fernando, Mani Pathmanadan, President, Inner Wheel Club of Mt. Lavinia, Swarna Rodrigo, Vijayalakshmi Serasinghe (the new Secretary) and Past President, Rosemary Morrell. Standing from left are Artika Selvadurai. Felician Samarasinghe and Leticia Abeygunawardena.

Swarna Rodrigo installed President

Inner Wheel Club of Mt. Lavinia:

Swarna Rodrigo was installed as the President of the Inner Wheel Club of Mount Lavinia at a simple ceremony held at Mt. Lavinia.

This is her third successive year as President of the Inner Wheel Club of Mt. Lavinia Swarna was installed by past President, Rosemary Morrell. During her period as President, Swarna has planned an extensive program of service to the needy: “I have planned to conduct service projects for people who are in dire need of assistance”, she said.

Mega service project by Mahalwarawa Lions

A mega service project was conducted by the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa at Bentota, Elpitiya.

President, Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge (left) welcoming chief guest, Deputy Minister of Social Services, Lionel Premasiri.	A section of the large crowd that attended the service project.

It was organised by the Lionel Premasiri Foundation, under the five-point community services program of District Governor, 306C2, Lion Nimal Bulathsinghala. Over one thousand people residing in and around Bentota, Elpitiya areas were benefited by the service project. Free medical camps, distribution of spectacles, wheelchairs, school books, school uniforms as well as distribution of wheel barrows and other agricultural equipment took place at the project.

Deputy Minister of Social Services Lionel Premasiri was the Chief Guest. President, Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge along with his vision care team organised the free distribution of spectacles to large number of poor people, after testing their vision.

Deputy Minister of Social Services, Lionel Premasiri paid a tribute to President, Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge and his club for their untiring efforts taken to be of service to the needy of Bentota, Elpitiya. The project turned out to be a big success.