Club News

Working together to serve better

Beverley jansz

Y’s Men International, a partnership with the YMCA with its headquarters in Switzerland, is a worldwide organization. Its prime objective is community service. It exists in Sri Lanka since 1930. Y’s Men all over the world have been gathering in various parts of the world once a year to participating in its International Council Meetings and conventions.

This year has been unique for Sri Lanka Y’s Men. With the election of Rita Hettiarachchi to the highest legislative body of Y’s Men International as an International Council Member since 2006 and thereafter as the Asia President of Y’s Men International, Sri Lanka was able to host the International Council Meeting, the Asia Area Convention and the Asia Youth Convocation in Colombo.

Members from all parts of world attended its Council Meeting followed by the Asia Area Convention held at Cinnamon Grand Hotel recently.

It was presided over by its Area President Rita Hettiarachchi along with the Asia Area Youth Convocation held at Hotel Sovereign, in Rajagiriya.

Chief guest at the event was International President, Kevin Cummings from Canada. Professional Conference Organizers (PCO) for the event was Aitken Spence Conventions and Exhibitions. Assistant Manager, Ziyan Ameen and Executive Nadeeka Leeniyagoda coordinated the entire event.

Rotary Club of Colombo West to help worthy project

The North Central Province of Sri Lanka, with a population of 1.2 million, mainly impoverished villagers, has recorded an extremely high incidence of Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) and End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) resulting in unprecedented level of fatalities among all ages. Approximately 20 persent of patients are classified as “End stage patients” of which 80 percent die due to lack of proper medical care.

Over 2000 patients receive treatment at newly set up make-shift clinic daily. Of this number approximately 700 to 800 patient are declared critically ill aid are in urgent need of further treatment, which includes kidney dialysis and kidney transplants.

The Anuradhapura Renal Care & Renal Research Centre is a project of National Kidney Foundation of Sir Lanka (Approved Charity), which has already raised Rs. 300 million (US $ 3.0 million) towards its constructions. It is a six storeyed building with all modern facilities and is ready to provide treatment for 200 in-house patients and an even larger number of out patients daily.

The Rotary Club of Colombo west has pledged its support to this worthy project to raise Rs. 50-60 million (US $ 500,000 - 600,000) to purchase.

Urgently required equipment. Once completed the centre will be equipped with 24 Haemodialysis Units, a research liberator, 2 Operating theatres, a scanning and radiology unit, a pharmacy an auditorium and fully equipped and furnished for patients to undergo kidney dialysis and kidney transplants free.

Contribution toward this worth cause may be made to Rotary Club of Colombo-West-National Kidney Foundation Project at 40, Gnanartha Pradeepaya Rd, Colombo 8, Account No. 006100012358 at Nations Trust Bank.

More details can be obtained by visiting the website ww.lifelineses.org

Rotary Club of Wariyapola

7th Installation ceremony:

Rotary District Governor, Suri Rajan was the chief guest at the 7th Installation ceremony of the Rotary Club of Wariyapola, Rtn.

Thiwanka B. Samarakoon was installed as the new President of the Rotary Club of Wariyapola.

Addressing a distinguished gathering of VIPs, distinguished guests and Rotarians, chief guest Rtn. Suri Rajan said that Rotary is now spread throughout Sri Lanka and new clubs too are being formed to help the underprivileged.

Assistance rendered to the poor by Rotarian around Sri Lanka are worth millions of rupees. There is much enthusiasm among Rotarians now and service project are being conducted on a regular basis, Governor, Rtn. Suri Rajan said.

He said that he visits Rotary Clubs spread in all parts of Sri Lanka to encourage Rotarians to conduct service projects to help the underprivileged. District Governor, Rtn. Suri Rajan said that he was confident that the new President, Rtn. Thiwanka Samarakoon will lead the Rotary Club of Wariyapola to greater heights.

Rendezvous 2009

306B-2 Lion Ladies fundraiser for Cancer Hospital:

The Lion Ladies of 306 B2 will be staging a variety show - Coffee Evening “RENDEZVOUS 2009” on November, 22 at Hotel Holiday Inn starting from 6.30 p.m.

This project is organized to raise funds to purchase an ‘Olympus Intubation Fibrescope’ for the operating theatre of the National Cancer Hospital, Maharagama.

This much needed equipment will help perform Tracheotomy more easily avoiding painful and complicated situations for the patients.

The cost of this equipment is Rs. 1.5 million (US$ 14,000).

A very entertaining programme of Eastern & Western Fashions, Music, Song and Dance, Skits by popular artistes with surprises, Entrance and Souvenir draws, will keep the guests enthralled.

Twenty Trade Stalls with interesting items at bargain prices will be open from 5.00 p.m. Faizal Bongso and his band will provide scintillating music. Tickets, inclusive of refreshments are now available at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Travel Shop, Ward Place, Colombo 7 and Solar Therm, 121, Castle Street, Colombo 8.

All proceeds from this Fund Raiser will be channelled towards implementing the above project and the organizers appeal and request the public to join them at RENDEZVOUS 2009 and support a worthy cause.

Mahalwarawa Lions Housing project

Music can heal the soul of the distressed. Music can also help to relieve the burden of the poor people. This became a reality when Mahalwarawa Lions Club used music to raise funds for a housing project for underprivileged people, by organising a mega colourful musical extravaganza at Camilla School Hall, Mattegoda.

The housing project is being organised by the Lions Club of Mahalwarawa under the five point community service project of District Governor, 306C-2 Lion Nimal Bulathsinghala.

Popular artistes Ishak Beigh, Chandrasena Hettiarachchi, Visharada Nanda Ranatunge, Sanjeewa Dissanayake and many others performed. Several distinguished invitees including Western Provincial Councillor, Lion Duminda Silva, Manju Sri Arangala, Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Ranga Abeysinghe, District Governor 306C-2, Lion Nimal Bulathsinghala and Kahatuduwa Police OIC Sarath Perera graced the occasion.

Lions should change challenges to opportunities

-PDG Lasantha Goonewardene

The most satisfying thing in life is to help others who are in need, said PDG Lasantha Goonewardene at a special service project organized by the Lions Club of

Colombo Mid City at Sahana Elders Home, Jawatta, Kaluthara North.

This was a project organized by the Lions of Colombo Mid City headed by their President Lion Nishantha Goonewardene where the club members and their families spent the day with elders which brought happiness to the life of elders at the Sahana Home.

Talking to the elders, singing with them, listening to them, sharing their experiences, listening to their problems and so many other activities took place during the day.

PDG Lasantha addressing the gathering further said that the most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give large part of oneself to others. Each day life presents challenges.

As Lions we have to turn those challenges into opportunities. By routinely assessing the needs of the community, as members of world largest and most effective service club organization, we can learn about our community and strategically develop plans to effectively meet those needs.

Disadvantage people, youth and mostly the school-children need our help. As you are aware to meet the ever-increasing needs of our people, we provide wide range of support to prevent blindness, sponsor drug awareness and educational programs for the youth and support countless other projects. As a member of Lions Clubs International you can make an impact of health and well-being of people around the world, said PDG Lasantha Goonewardene.

Highlighting the today’s project he further said this is exactly what elders want from us.

Their children have neglected them. But they like to know that some one is there to take care of them. It is also important that Lions have come here with their families and children.

When the children see the situation here and the sacrifices these elders are facing, I am sure our children today will take this into their minds and will not allow this to happen to us.

The Lions of Colombo Mid City donated essentials to the elders home with the help of Unilivers Ceylon Ltd. Unilivers provided Toothpaste, Tooth brushes, Soap and Washing Powders to this project. Region Chairperson Lion Wikum Weerakkody and DGPC Lion Wasantha Wettasinghe were among the Lions who participated.