Club News

Rotary Sri Lanka 80th anniversary

Text & Pix. Beverley Jansz

The 80th anniversary of Rotary Sri Lanka was celebrated at a glittering ceremony held at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla last week.

Rotary International Past President, Bill Boyd from New Zealand was the chief guest.

Rotary International Director, Rtn. Ravindran, District Governor Rtn. Anand from District 3230 Chennai, District Governor, Rtn. Koshore from District 3020, Past District Governor/District Governor nominee and District Secretary, Rtn. Gehan including Rotarians from many countries around the world graced the occasion.

The highlight of the festival was the release of Rotary Peace Theme song and the signing of 40 new sister club agreements with Rotary Clubs from India and Thailand. In his keynote address, District Governor 3220, Rtn. Suri Rajan said that the signing of 40 sister club agreements will herald another era of Inter-District co-operation in this area for the benefit of all concerned and the world of Rotary. ‘This event will also enable us to make a significant contribution to the Rotary Foundation to which this event is dedicated.

The Rotary Foundation is the life blood of Rotary and deserves the support of all of us,’ District Governor, Rtn. Suri Rajan said. District Governor, Rtn. Suri Rajan said that the visit of District Governors, Rtn. Anand and Koshore from India is another great honour to Rotary Sri Lanka and the district. DG Rtn. Anand has brought with him a big delegation in a demonstration of close bonds of friendship that has developed between our two districts.

This will be to the benefit of both districts and set a fine example of Inter-District cooperation in this part of the world ‘DG Rtn. Suri Rajan said. Chief Guest, Past Rotary International President Bill Boyd said that he was honoured to be in Sri Lanka as a Trustee of Rotary Foundation. I know of the contributions that the foundation makes to touch the lives of people and to make the world a better place.’

We need the support of every Rotarian and I thank you for showing that support by being here tonight’ Past RI President Bill Boyd said.

Rtn Billl Boyd thanked Rotary Sri lanka for inviting him to be the chief guest at the 80th anniversary of Rotary Sri Lanka.

Rotaract Club of Nuwara Eliya 20th charter celebration

The charter celebration of the Rotaract Club of Nuwara Eliya was held at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.

President, Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya Rtu. P. Rajathurai was the chief guest.

A host of distinguished guests, Rotarians and members of the Rotaract Club participated. The celebrations began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by chief guest, President, Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya, Rtu. P. Rajathurai, President Rotaract Club of Nuwara Eliya, Rtr. W. Mathan and other invitees.

Chief guest, President, Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya, Rtu. P. Rajadurai in his address said that the Rotaract Club of Nuwara Eliya has planned a series of service projects to help the underprivileged in the Nuwara Eliya district. He extended his willingness to be of assistance at any service project organised by the Rotaract Club. He wished the club all success.

President, Rotaract Club of Nuwara Eliya Rtr. W. Mathan and many others addressed the gathering. The ceremony ended with a fellowship and dinner.

Udahamulla Lions celebrate Int’l Children’s day

Beverley Jansz

The Lions Club of Udahamulla in Lions International District 306C-2 in association with the Dehiwala-Mat.Lavinia Municipal Council and the Dehiwala Zoo celebrated the International Children’s Day at S.de S. Jayasinghe Grounds, Dehiwala.

Over 5,000 children participated at the event which took a carnival atmosphere. The day’s program included a variety of games and competitions.

Mayor of Dehiwala-Mt.Lavinia Sunethra Ranasinghe was the Chief Guest while Kesaralal Gunasekera was the guest of honour.

A special feature of the event was that the little ones were taken to the Dehiwala Zoo, Colombo Museum and the Planetarium. The children were treated to refreshments and prizes were offered to the winners of the many competitions.

District governor, 306C-2, Lion Nimal Bulathsinghala and past District Governor, 306C-2 Lion Lasantha Goonewardhana took an actinal part which made the event a colourful and memorable one for the children.

Nuwara Eliya Rotarians meet Tamil Nadu counterparts

Text & Pix Beverley Jansz

Members of the Rotary Club of Vaniampadi, Tamil Nadu, India District 3230 were accorded a warm welcome by the Rotary Clubs of Nuwara Eliya at St. Andrews Hotel, Nuwara-Eliya.

At a joint meeting, President, Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya, Rtn. P. Rajathurai said that Rotary was introduced to Nuwara Eliya on March 29, 1966. Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya has passed four decades serving the needy people of the Nuwara-Eliya district. Umpteen number of service projects were conducted to help estate workers and villagers, President, Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya, Rtn. P. Rajathurai said.

He thanked the Rotary Club of Vaniambadi for helping the Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya to build international understanding and goodwill among foreign Rotary Clubs. President, Rotary Club of Vaniambadi, Tamil Nadu, Rtn. K. Suresh said that it was the first time in the history of his clubs that a joint meeting with Sri Lankan Rotarians had been planned.

He thanked the President Rotary Club of Nuwara Eliya, Rtn. P. Rajathurai and other members of the club for providing such a meeting to build up International understanding and goodwill with Sri Lankan Rotarians.

Mahalwarawa Lions to build houses for poor

‘True Lionism is to be of service to the needy. As Lions we are committed to provide basic needs such as food, housing and medicine to the poor, said President, Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge, at the launching of a housing project for poor families.

Under the five-point community service program of District Governor 306 C-2, Lion Nimal Bulathsinhala, Lions Club of Mahalwarawa launched a new housing project at Kottawa.

As the first step of fund-raising for this project, a ‘Peduru Party’, a musical extravaganza has been organised for Saturday October 24 at Camilla Hall, Mattegoda.

Official announcement of this project look place at a ceremony held at Tamasha Hall, Mattegoda. The official visit of Zone Chairperson, Lion Jagath Samarawickrema and installation of new Lions also took place at the same function.

Lion Jagath Samarawickrema was felicitated by Lions Club of Mahalwarawa for his enormous services rendered towards Lionism. ‘We are proud to have a senior Lion Jagath Samarawickrama as the Zone Chairperson who is committed to Lionism and who received many awards on several occasions, President, Lions Club of Mahalwarawa, Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge said.

Zone Chairperson, Lion Jagath Samarawickrema appreciated the services done by the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa under the leadership of Lion Dr. Harsha Aluthge during a very short period of being installed as President of the club. ‘No club in our district has done so many service projects during such a short period of two month’s Lion Jagath said.

Y’s Men’s South Western District Conference

The South Western District Conference of Y’s Men International Sri Lanka Region was held at Royal View Restaurant, Colombo 7. The Regional Director of the Y’s Men’s International Sri Lanka Region, Michael Mathysz, and the Governor of Y’s Men’s South Western District, V. Ariyaratnam, on addressing this conference were of one mind and they together did strongly feel that the clubs should make a concerted effort to increase their membership, as well as to extend, new clubs.

Both spoke with a sense of urgency, saying that this should be a priority in order to serve the community with greater impetus and drive. The guest speaker on the occasion was Hilary Fernando, who spoke on contentment.

Earlier on, the conference began with the singing of the National Anthem, the Y’s Men Pledge, the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and, amidst a very representative gathering. The reports of clubs were read out by an accredited member of each club.

The conference also witnessed Y’s Man Francis Fonseka, being appointed District Governor. Thereafter a sense of well being prevailed in a spirit of camaraderie and bonhomie, which led to much fellowship over dinner and music provided by the Band.