Club News

Rotary - Panadol dengue eradication drive in Kandy

beverley jansz

Panadol, a paracetamol based product and brand of leading Consumer Healthcare Company GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with Rotary District 3220 - Sri Lanka, a non profit organization announced the launch of the second phase of an islandwide Dengue eradication program in the city of Kandy.

Titled “Panadol Sahana Balakaya”, the program is a dengue prevention drive aimed at finding a solution to eradicate dengue from Sri Lanka with the support of like minded partners. The first phase of the project was conducted in June this year and focused on creating awareness. Thereafter, the brand moved to the action phase, of which the first leg was successfully completed in Colombo in July. The second led of the program will focus on the city of Kandy.

Chief Guest Tikiri Kobbekaduwa being conducted to the venue by Rtn. PHF Suri Rajan, Rotary District Governor	Chief Guest, Central Province Governer Tikiri Kobbekaduwa addressing the gathering	District Governor Suri Rajan addressing the gathering

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world’s leading research-based Healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. GSK aspires to be a company that is forward looking, innovative and willing to try new approaches and partnerships in order to make significant progress in addressing national healthcare challenges, District Governor, Rtn. Suri Rajan said.

Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Sachi Thomas said, that he was proud to announce the launch of the second phase of the dengue eradication drive “Panadol Sahana Balakaya”. As a trusted brand in Sri Lanka for over four decades Panadol believes in supporting the nation’s present health priority of dengue eradication. We hope through our efforts, this deadly disease can be eradicated in Sri Lanka,” Thomas said.

The ‘Panadol Sahana Balakaya’ is a collective effort by both the State and private sector to control the spread of dengue in high risk areas in Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, Rotary is spread across the country led by Rtn District Governor Suri Rajan and has a membership of over 1,800 people who are personalities in the forefront of business and professions.

The eradication of Polio from Sri Lanka was one such successful undertaking. The efforts in our post tsunami activities stand as testament to what we have achieved with the flagship project of building 20 new schools around the country with enhanced facilities. The current initiative once again sees Rotarians who all volunteers are taking the lead along with our partners and sponsors to do our utmost in creating awareness and prevention of the dengue menace, said District Governor Rtn. Suri Rajan.

Rotarian Past President Dr. Yusry Mohideen, Project Co-chairperson, Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town commenting on the second phase of the Panadol ‘Sahana Balakaya’ said “We have selected Kandy for the second phase of this dengue eradication program because of the high number of dengue cases present there.

In this regard, we acknowledge with gratitude the cooperation and arrangements of the Kandy Municipal Council and the Rotary Club of Kandy towards a successful campaign. We aim to make a significant reduction in the spread of dengue in Kandy by creating and monitoring dengue free zones in 25 schools. The launch of the project was done last week from Trinity College grounds. The overall impact of our efforts in Kandy, Colombo and in other areas of the country is to significantly reduce the number of dengue cases in Sri Lanka,” DG Rtn. Suri Rajan said.

Mayor of Kandy, L.B. Aluvihare, noted in his comments that the recent dengue epidemic has recorded a high rate of positive cases (569 hospitalised) and a fair amount of deaths (5) and is an increasing trend. Rotary together with Panadol organized the press conferences in Colombo and Kandy prior to the launch of these two events to make aware to the general public on their efforts to eradicate dengue. Minister of Education Susil Premjayanth, Competent Authority CMC Omar Kamil, Commissioner Bhadrani Jayawardane, CMOH-CMC Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam and DCMOH-CMC Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya joined the press conference held at CMC premises.

Governor Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and Mayor L.B. Aluvihare, CMOH Kandy CMC Dr. Asoka Senarath joined the Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors at the Kandy Press Conference at Queen’s Hotel, Kandy.

Moratuwa Lions 33rd Charter Anniversary on November 7

The Lions Club of Moratuwa will celebrate their 33rd Charter Anniversary on November 7 at hotel Randiya Lake Resort Katukurunda, Moratuwa from 8 p.m. onwards. The Chief Guest will be Lion Siri Ariya Perera accompanied by his Lady Lion Rani. The Guests of Honour will be the Past International President Lion Mahendra Amarasuirya and his Lady Lion Kushalani. 1st Vice President Lion Sunil Darmaratne and his Lady Lion Deepani and 2nd Vice President Lion Kapila Manamperi with his Lady Lion Tharanga are honoured guests at this occasion.

The Charter Committee Chairman Lion Palitha Jayatissa has made arrangements to make this event, a fund raiser to collect finances to carry out on going humanitarian projects for the less fortunate and to service Pre Schools run by the Club at Lions Activity Centre.

The Club was chartered in 1976 by the Lions Club of Borella headed by Lion Andrew Kariyawasam as guiding Lion. Moratuwa’s Charter President was Late Lion Eardly Perera PC the Charter Secretary was Lion Dayantha Fernando and the Treasurer was Lion Berty Fernando.

Leos can change the world - PDG Lasantha Goonewardhana

Leo Clubs are open to young men and women of good character, ages 12 to 28, who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. Each Leo club is sponsored by a Lions Club. Leo club members elect their own officers, schedule their own meetings and select their own fundraisers and service projects said PDG Lasantha Goonewardhana at the inauguration ceremony of the Leo Club of Pannipitiya Central at Mahalwarawa recently.

Pannipitiya Central Leo Club consists of 20 members who are mostly from the Pannipitiya area. The new members and the office bearers were installed by the chief guest PDG Lasantha Goonewardena. Addressing the parents, Lions and Leos Lion Lasantha said, that popular service initiatives among the Leo clubs include protection of environment, community improvements, Drug abuse prevention, health education, educational assistance, social services and assistance to the elders and children.

The social aspects of the Leo club program provides opportunities to meet other young people who share common interests, values and goals. The international scope of Leo clubs provides for interaction at Leo forums, Lions International convention, Club Twining or pen pal. In addition Leos can participate in the Lions International Youth Exchange and Youth camp program.

The motto of the Leo Club program is: Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity.

For the past 40 years, thousands of young people have benefited from membership in the Leo club program. Some of these benefits are tangible; others are intangible.

Making new friends and viewing the world through another’s perspective are two of the benefits of Leo service. As community volunteers, Leo’s often develop confidence and organization skills through this hands-on experience.

Another benefit of Leo club membership is experiencing Teamwork, PDG Lion Lasantha said.

Today we have opened a path to this younger generation to get practical experience and become the quality leaders said PDG Lasantha Goonewardena delivering his keynote address.

The Leo Advisor Lion Nimali Samaranayaka, Lions Club of Pannipitiya Central President Lion Vijitha Masakorale and many other Lion dignitaries graced the occasion. BJ

PDG Lion Rohantha donates Rs. 3 m books for school libraries

The Principal of Sri Sumangala Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Mrs. W. A. D. D. S. Nepala accepting the books from PDG Rohantha De Fonseka.	Principal of Mahanama Vidyalaya, T. Nadheeka Peiris accepting the donation from PDG Rohantha De Fonseka.	Principal of St. John’s College, Panadura, M. N. H. T. P. De Silva, accepting the donation from PDG Rohantha De Fonseka.

The Lions of Lions Club of Alubomulla headed by PDG Lion Rohantha De Fonseka sponsored a project with his contemporary PDG Lion George Bennett of Lions District 105C - UK to provide educational books including encyclopedias, dictionaries, short story books and educational books of science etc., of over 3500 for the benefit of children.

Out of this donation 500 books each were donated to the following schools:- Panadura Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Panadura, Sri Sumangala Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Panadura, St. John’s College, Panadura, Mahanama College, Panadura, Jeremias Diyas College, Panadura, Pre-school Daham Pasala, Alubomulla, Panadura.

In addition, another donation of 500 books was made to the children in the Trincomalee District. These books will be used by over ten thousand children in the above mentioned six schools for many more years to come.

Prince Ratnam Club of Dancing Fund-raiser on November 7

The 4th annual dance of the Prince Ratnam Club of Dancing will be held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on Saturday November 7, from 8 p.m. onwards.

The event has been organised as a fund-raiser for service projects.

The “King of Dancing” Prince Ratnam will be feted for producing over 10,000 award winning ballroom dancers.

A host of attractions, prizes and surprises are on cards, the organising committee says.