Rotary: the hall mark of International reach
Sarath MALALASEKERA
The hallmark of Rotary, which differentiate us from other service
organisations are the service delivery capability, International reach,
commitment to the organisation, high ethical standards and the spirit of
fellowship, said former Colombo West Rotary Club President Shan
Shanmuganathan at the Gala Banquet Dinner hosted to Rotary International
President Ray Klinginsmith at the Hotel Galadari, Colombo recently.
'The speakers billed to talk after me are best suited to talk about
this subject, the spirit of fellowship is the one which bonds the
organisation and enables us to handle the service projects in collective
manner' this function today represents that spirit. I also talked of
commitment to Rotary,' Shanmuganathan said.
Shanmuganadan emphasised that a Rotary International President
visiting Sri Lanka is not something new. We have always had Rotary
International Presidents visiting us every three or four years, and the
last visit was in 2008.
What is important with this visit is that an Rotary International
President is visiting Sri Lanka for the first time after peace has
dawned to the island and when he visits Jaffna, it is after 30 years
that Rotary International President would be visiting Jaffna or for that
matter he is free to visit any part of the country without restriction.
Rotary has always done projects across the country, however due to
the war the situation did not permit officials of Rotary to visit the
project sites and inspect.
We are indeed privileged by the visit of Rotary International
President Ray and thankful to him that he agreed to attend this Banquet
despite his busy schedule, Shanmuganathan said.
Rotary International President Ray joined the Rotary movement 50
years ago and is the present leader. Around the time President Ray
joined Rotary, a Rotary Club was also formed in Sri Lanka, Rotary Club
of Colombo West, of which I am a member, Shanmuganathan added.
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