The 35th Installation Ceremony of Rotaract Club of Kandy

The Installation Ceremony of the Rotaract Club of Kandy for the year 2017/2018 was held on the 9th of September 2017 at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy.

The event saw its successful completion after days of persistent work by all the members of the club. It marked an end to a remarkable year of great service paving way for a new year with unique aspirations to be achieved through Rotaract.

The occasion was graced by the presence of our Chief Guest Rtn. PHF. Gnanaraj Rathnapandian, our Guest of Honour, Co- DRCC Rtn. PHF Geshani Dias Desinghe and many representatives from other Rotaract and Interact Clubs, parents and friends. The traditional oil lamp was then lit, followed by the recitation of the flag salutation, Rotaract invocation and the four way test and the singing of the Rotaract song.

Team Kandy continues to uphold the dignity and the honor of the club by completing thirty nine projects in all avenues and looks forward to achieve more with the guidance of the incoming president, Rtr. Samindhi Unamboowe and her executive board. The appointment of the new president was undoubtedly the highlight of the day. Her speech as the newly appointed president where she shared moments of her life as a Rotaractor, was very motivating and exemplary as it was an inspiration to all the members of the club to do their best in the upcoming year. 

The induction of the members of the executive board was followed by the President’s speech. Given below is the list of names of the incoming board of Directors and their respective positions.

President: Rtr. Samindhi Unamboowe

Joint Secretary: Rtr. Jalinie Nanayakkara

Joint Secretary: Rtr. Mohamed Rehan

Vice President: Rtr. Niran Jayawardane

Treasurer: Rtr. Tilani Subasinghe

Assistant Treasurer: Rtr. Kavindya Samarakoon

Seargent at arms: Rtr. Haleem Akmal

Joint Director for Community Service: Rtr. Rukshan Kularathne

Joint Director for Community Service: Rtr. Dilshan Ilankoon

Director for International Understanding: Rtr. Rahma Mashood

Director for Professional Development: Rtr. Rasika Baskaran

Director for Club Service: Rtr. Kenneth Cottling

Joint Director for IT: Afkhan Ahamed

Joint Director for IT: Ushan Malshika

Director for Public Relations and Sports: Rtr. Dedunu Akarshanie

Editor: Rtr. Fairoza Fairooz

Team Kandy didn’t forget to pay tribute to three members of the Rotaract family, PP. Wajdi Siraj, PP. Pradeepa Anthony and Thilan Samarakoon who bid farewell to their journey as Rotaractors this year.

The outgoing President Rtr. Heshan Wickramathilake was commended by everyone for his year of service, for being a leader and a friend who took the club to great heights. The ceremony saw its end by opening the evening for felicitation and fellowship. Team Kandy received many compliments for completing the installation ceremony in style. 

Vibes of Perahera

The Kandy Esala Perahara also known as ‘The Festival of the Tooth’ is one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned festivals which takes place during the month of August in Kandy. It is held annually to venerate the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. 

We, the Rotaract Club of Kandy as members who belong to the Kandyan Hill Capital, which is at the threshold of a region rich in cultural experiences, has stepped out with "Vibes of Perehera" to celebrate and be a part of this colourful pageant with great devotion.

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This annual community service project was held for the second consecutive time on the 7th of August 2017. Around 2300 buns were distributed among the spectators who travelled a pretty fair distance in order to watch the Perahara which is indeed a blessing and was seated on the streets for hours to catch a spot to view the procession. Most of them are people who are less fortunate and haven’t quite prepared themselves with meals to make it through the evening and hence Team Kandy thought to lend a hand this way.  

The project was successfully completed in a large-scale and was praised by many who saw the worthy cause.

Hosting a Group Of Students from Australia

The Rotaract Club of Kandy had the honour of hosting a group of students and two professors from the University of Wollongong (School of Economics and Finance), Australia to meet the proprietor of the largest Gem and Jewellery showroom in Kandy, Tiesh by Lakmini  on the 17th of July 2017.  

These students were studying on Sri Lanka's economy and development of businesses and how the country's economy effects on the new businesses.

Also we were able to get special permission from the Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Peradeniya to make a personal visit to the Department of Economics and Statistics at the University including a discussion with the Head of Department Prof. Vijesandivan and a few students.

Tamil Workshop

Sri Lanka being a bilingual country, we believe that as responsible citizens we ought to make efforts to learn all three languages in use. Hence, as the majority of the club members were unfamiliar with the Tamil language, we organized a work shop to practice speaking Tamil so that it will serve as a great advantage for their future endeavors. 

Under the project avenue Club Service, the Tamil Workshop was held at the Kandy Club on the 16th of July 2017 where the members were taught the flag salutation in Tamil as well as simple Tamil vocabulary like the names of animals, birds, vegetables, and fruits.

It was a very productive day as all members learnt new things and also had fun.

Donation of Clothes and Toys to Daya Niwasa

The Rotaract Club of Kandy donated clothes and toys to the children at the Daya Niwasa, Kandy on the 8th of July under the project avenue of Community Service.

With the help of the family members and friends of Rotaract we were able to make a satisfying donation for the kids.

At the end of the day it is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.

"We make a living by what we get,

but...

we make a life by what we give"

President's Lunch

"Don't wait for someone to be friendly, show them how"

Keeping up with the tradition of the club, this year too the newly appointed president Rtr. Samindhi Unamboowe gave a “special treat” to the club members as a way to step in to the upcoming year with new hopes and aspirations.

This reunion also is a gesture to thank all the members for trusting and giving the opportunity for her to head this prestigious club. 

It was a great evening indeed on the 2nd of July 2017 at the Dinemore Restaurant, Kandy, where all  the members had a good time in improving fellowship among each other.

The Goals Project

The first project for the new term 17/18 of the Rotaract Club of Kandy under the Avenue Club Service, namely, "The Goals Project" was held on the 2^nd of July 2017 at the Kandy Club. This is an annual project where this time too, the incoming president explained her goals for the upcoming year, and provided the Board of Directors and the team with guidelines and made them aware of their respective responsibilities.

In the course of the discussion, new project ideas were pooled in by the members and the board of directors which were later discussed.

As the saying goes, Team Kandy wishes to,

“Stay focused, chase our dreams, and keep moving towards our goal to move ONE STEP BEYOND AMITY”