Club News

Int'l President impressed with Lankan Lions

Text & Pic Beverley Jansz

Sri Lankan Lions are an example to Lions in 202 countries around the world. Sri Lankan Lions are very dedicated. The services rendered by them to the community and the needy are commendable.

These sentiments were expressed by Lions International President, Lion Eberhard. J. Wirfs at a dinner hosted in his honour by Multiple Council Chairman (SL) and Ambassador General to United Cultural Convention (USA), Lion Dr. M.H.C.J. Ian at the Hilton Hotel Colombo.

A host of distinguished guests VIPs, District Governors, Past District Governors and Lion Ladies graced the occasion.

IP Lion Eberhard J. Wirfs said that Sri Lanka was his 'home'. He said that he selected Sri Lanka to spend his honeymoon over 30 years ago.

He paid a tribute to President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the armed forces for usheries peace to Sri Lanka after over 30 years.

When he spent his honeymoon in Sri Lanka, it was a very peaceful country. He was glad now that beautiful Sri Lanka is once again a very peaceful country.

Tourists from around the world can now visit Sri Lanka which is one of the most beautiful countries around the world, with all potentials for tourism.

Lions International spread in over 202 countries has been classified as the world's number one service organisation. Lions International President, Lion Eberhard J. Wirfs pledged more financial aid to Sri Lankan Lions when he takes up duties as the Chairman of Lions Clubs International Foundation, next year, which is the funding arm of Lions International.

He thanked MCC, Lion Dr. M.H.C.J. Ian and his Lion Lady Jayantha for making his stay in Sri Lanka most memorable. He also thanked District Governors, Past District Governors, Lions and Lion Ladies who joined him and his Lion Lady at all functions held in their honour, during their three day visit to Sri Lanka. MCC Lion Dr. M.H.C.J. Ian and his Lion Lady Jayantha presented token of appreciation to IP Lion Eberhard J. Wirfs and his Lion Lady Masgit.

The fairwell dinner hosted at Hilton Hotel in honour of IP Lion Eberhard J. Wirfs and Lion Lady Margit turned out to be a glittering event.

Lionism brings people together - PDG Goonewardhana

Lions present a token of appreciation to Most Ven. Borelle Athula Thera to recognize his services to the community. PDG Lion Lasantha Goonewardhana, DG 306 C2 Lion Nimal Bulathsinghala, Mother of Ven. Borelle Athula Thera are also the picture.

A.D. Palitha receiving the key to his new house donated by Colombo Chario Lions, from District Governor 306 C2 Lion Nimal Bulathsinghala, PDG Lion Lasantha Goonewardhana, President Lion Ajith Rajakaruna, Most Ven. Borelle Athula Thera, Project Co-Chairperson Lion Collin Thabrew are also in the picture.

When you are having a bad day, you think everything is going wrong, find three people and sincerely thank them for something that they've done. When you have finished thanking that third person, suddenly you're empowered, you feel great, because you have given to that person something powerful. Said PDG Lasantha Goonewardhana addressing the gathering at the Multi service project organized by the Lions Club of Colombo Chariot to mark the 50th Birthday of Most Venerable Borelle Athula Thera at the Borella Temple.

The Lions of Colombo Chariot headed by its President Lion Ajith Rajakaruna has organized several projects with the help of his club members and other donors and business community in the area. The projects included Eye camp and donation of 300 pairs of spectacles, Distribution of Dry ration parcels, Distribution of school books and other essentials to the schoolchildren, Educational Program for pregnant mothers, Blood Donation Camp, Donation of Wheel Chairs, Medical Camp, Dengue Awareness program and many other service activities. Under these programs over 2000 people were benefited.

PDG Lasantha further said that as Lions we help so many people around the world and we make miracles happen. We change the lives, we bring back their sight, we give them a way to see, we give them a home and that's great. But the people that get the most are you, because you're giving. And when you understand what you're offering them, it's powerful.

You are giving them an opportunity to be a better person. You're giving them an opportunity to be better employee-employer. A better parent, better spouse, better friend, better neighbour.

Therefore it is important that being a part of this organization your fullest involvement in all its activities. Today we are witnessing a successful service project because all members rally round President and the members and worked tirelessly and made this happened in a manner that it has to be. So I take this opportunity to congratulate each and every member of the Lions Club of Colombo Chariot, specially the project committee headed by President Ajith Rajakaruna and co-Chairperson Collin Thabrew for their hard working.

District Governor 306 C2 Lion Nimal Bulathsinghala also thanked the organizing committee for organizing such a magnitude project. President Lion Ajith Rajakaruna presented a token of appreciation to Ven. Borelle Athula Thera to recognize his services to the betterment of the community. Most Ven. Mapalane Shantha Thera presided the meeting.

Exemplary service to community:

Hendala Lions celebrate 26th charter anniversary

Text & Pic Beverley Jansz

President Lion Hirantha Perera (right) makes a presentation to DG 306B1, Lion Lakshman Wijesinghe.

Lion Lady Mihiri Dissanayake IPP, (SCATS) Melbourne, Australia making a cash donation to PCC Lion Mohan de Silva, to procure equipment to the Lions ‘Sight First’ Eye Hospital Hendala.

The Lions Club of Hendala celebrated their 26th. Charter Anniversary with a fitting Dinner Dance at the Pegasus Reef Hotel, Hendala recently which also coincided with the District Governor 306B1 Lion Lakshman Wijesinghe's visit to the club along with his partner in service Lion Dr. Anoma.

A large number of Lions and a distinguished gathering of well wishers including their twin club President from the Lions Club of Dandenong Supper in Melbourne, Australia, Lion Bandu Dissanayake who is also the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Victoria and his Lady Mihiri who were the guests of honour participated in this function.

District Governor Lion Lakshman Wijesinghe in his address complimented the Club President Lion Hirantha Perera and the Lions of Hendala for all the wonderful service they have rendered to the communities in and around Hendala for the past 26 years.

He made special mention of the Lions Vocational Training Center in Hendala which caters to the underprivileged youth to acquire training in various disciplines, the four pre schools run by the club and the involvement of the Hendala Lions in running the Lions Sight First Eye Hospital in Hendala as truly noteworthy.

He further stated that the Lions Club of Hendala is a perfect example to all the other clubs in the District as the dedication and commitment of their membership has contributed largely for this club to continue without interruption a number of mega projects which has not only benefited thousands of underprivileged people in our country, but has also contributed immensely to enhance the image of Lionism as a whole in our country.

Lion Bandu Dissanayake addressing the gathering stated that, he and his wife Mihiri were privileged and honoured to attend the Charter Ceremony of a supreme Lions Club in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan expatriate community is always willing to help their motherland when ever the opportunity presented.

He further stated that he was happy to have been able to provide funds to the Lions Sight First Hospital in Hendala along with his Lion Lady Mihiri through the benevolence of the Sri Lankan community in Victoria and pledged to continue supporting this great humanitarian endeavour which they have recognized as a very valuable project of the Hendala Lions. Lion Lady Mihiri who had visited the hospital the previous day had pledged a personal donation of 6,000 Aus. dollars to procure much needed equipment to the new operating theatre, made a token presentation of 1,000 Aus. Dollars to Past Council Chairman Lion Mohan de Silva at the ceremony.

Lion Brigadier Gerry Alwis proposed the vote of thanks.

Leo Multiple District 306 Leadership Symposium

A Leadership Symposium on behalf of the Leo Multiple District 306 Sri Lanka was organized by the Leo Club of Kandana, Ja-ela which was held at the NDB auditorium.

The objective of this event was to provide a good leadership development platform to Leos said Leo Amanda Rabot, Director Leadership Development. Over 90 Leos belonging to the six Leo districts attended this event. Gauri Shankar, Director of Studies CIMA Sri Lanka and Asanga Warusawithana head of corporate sales of Softlogic were the invited speakers.

Both sessions focused on developing leadership and communication skills through interactive methodologies.

Certificates were distributed to all who participated. Leo Club of Lindsay Girl's School and Leo District 306 C1 received awards for highest participation.

Seminar to commemorate Worlds Aids Day

Sarath Malalasekera

Annual seminar to commemorate the Worlds Aids Day on December 1, was organised by Lions Clubs International 306 A and conducted by the Lions Club Dehiwela North this year too for the 18th time. The winners of the oratory contest and music contest received their awards from the Chief Guest District Governor Nimal Aluthge. The project Chairman Lion S. Ramachandran MJF assist in organising the program.

Dr. Sathya Herath delivered the key note address on Aids and HIV. Executive NDDCB Director K. Gamage, Dr. Dayanath Ranatunga of UN AIDS, Prof Swarna Premaratne from the Lions Club of Pestum, Italy, EAETI Director R.A.L. Galappathy and Sri Lanka FONGODA President Iflal Adduthula were the guest of honours. Over 2500 students of the AETI participated at the seminar.

Christmas Sale with EVE

Lions offer Value for Money

Lions and Lion Ladies of the Colombo (Host) Club the pioneer Lions Club in Sri Lanka raise funds from the public to serve the community, by giving supporters value in return.

At their forthcoming Lions "Christmas Sale with EVE" on Sunday, 6th December 2009 at the Shalika Hall, 225 Park Road, Colombo-5, from 10.00am to 6.00pm, you will get satisfying value for the money you spend.

Your money will go to support the Sick and the Blind, the Maimed, the Young and the Old. So far, the Lions Club of Colombo (Host) have provided more than 1300 Free Cataract Surgeries to the deserving, costing more than Rs. 4.5 Million.

Terry Waite visits Sri Lanka on invitation of YMCA

International speaker on humanitarian activities and former hostage negotiator Terry Waite is to deliver a lecture on "People's Diplomacy for Reconciliation" on the 4th of December at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. Mr. Waite, the President of Y-Care International UK-Ireland, is visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of Sri Lanka YMCA and is scheduled to visit South and North to see Y-Care partnered Tsunami houses and Vocational Training Initiatives. During his visit to the north Mr. Waite will meet with Minister of Social Services and Welfare Mr. Douglas Devananda for a discussion and later will speak to people of Jaffna on Peace and Reconciliation through seminars organized in Jaffna, Navaly and Point Pedro YMCAs.

Mr. Waite became a world renowned figure in 1980s when he successfully negotiated the release of hostages held in Iran and Libya.

Kurunegala Rotarians donate dictionaries to students

The Rotary Club of Kurunegala, donated dictionaries to the students of Grade 6 to 11 to mark the International Literacy Day, at Madawa Maha Vidyalaya, Mawathagama.