The 5th Installation ceremony of Rtr. President Abdul Baasit Sathar of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura was held at the Postgraduate Institute of Management Auditorium on the 26th of August 2015 from 6 pm onward.
The head table comprised of the following dignitaries, Chief Guest Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Guest of Honor President of Rotary Club of Battaramulla Rtn. Suranga Pallaliyaguruge, Rotary Youth Service’s Chair Rtn. PHF PP Farzana Khan, District Rotaract Representative Rtr. PHF PP Sathiyeandra T. Singham, Immediate Past President of Rotaract club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura Rtr. Ranisha Weerakoon and Incoming President Rtr. Abdul Baasit Sathar.
The Installation Ceremony was Co- Chaired by Rtr Jinandi Chathurya and by Rtr Minu Perera. The head table members as well as the co-chairs together with a parent representing the parents of all the members of the club were invited to light the prestigious oil lamp commencing the occasion.
Chief Guest, Guest of Honor, Rotary Youth Service’s Chair, District Rotaract Representative and the Outgoing and the Incoming presidents were invited to take their respective seats at the head table. The house was called to order by Sergeant-at-Arms Rtr. Nirmana de Silva. The Flag Salutation, Rotaract Invocation and the Four Way Test were read by Rtr. Minu Perera. The gathering was then welcomed by the project chairperson, joint secretary for the year 2015/2016 Rtr. Jinandi Chathurya.
The Secretary’s report was presented by the Outgoing Secretary Rtr. Danesha Liyanage. She proudly mentioned that the club was able to successfully complete 24 projects in total in the past year, including 11 Community Service projects, 6 Professional Development projects, 2 International Understanding projects and 5 Club Service projects. Some of the projects carried out by the club during the past year including, I Sea You, Reunion Swing, Ocean Minded, SMILE, Inter-Rotaract Swimming Meet, Awake & Aware, Illuminate and Train Your Brain. The Outgoing President Rtr. Ranisha Weerakoon delivered an inspiring speech based on her experiences as the President of the club for the year 2014/2015. She added that if you have the will and the commitment there is nothing impossible in life. Furthermore she thanked the Rotaract board for the year 2014/2015, friends and family and all the individuals who contributed in numerous ways.
The introduction to the Incoming President was given by the incoming Vice President of the club, Rtr. Sachindra Sanders which was followed by a short Video clip that consisted of ideas and wishes for Rtr. Abdul from the leading figures in the Rotaract movement. Following this the Incoming President Rtr. Abdul Baasit was collared by the outgoing president Rtr. Ranisha Weerakoon. Delivering his speech Rtr. Abdul Baasit mentioned that there are three reasons why he is in this position today. One reason was the commendable leadership of the Outgoing President Rtr. Ranisha Weerakoon. Second reason was his parents and thirdly it was the members of his committee and he introduced the board of director for the year 2015/2016.
• President: Rtr. Abdul Baasit
• Immediate Past President : Rtr. Ranisha Weerakoon
• Vice President: Rtr. Sachindra Sanders
• Joint Secretaries: Rtr. Ishani Karunadasa & Rtr. Jinandi Chathurya
• Treasurer: Rtr. Purindra Wijewickrama
• Assistant Treasurer: Rtr. Piumi Fonseka
• Editor: Rtr. Minu Perera
• Sergeant-at-Arms: Rtr. Nirmana De Silva
• Community Service Directors: Rtr. Sudeepa Gunarathne & Rtr. Mithun Alwis
• Club Service Directors: Rtr. Tharindi Wickramasurendra & Rtr. Dananjaya Siriwardana
• Professional Development Directors: Rtr. Kalani Kulathilaka & Rtr. Tharuka Pathirana
• International Understanding Directors: Rtr. Randunu Dissanayake & Rtr. Lakal Ruhunage
• Finance Directors: Rtr. Yasanga Nishadi & Rtr. Hiranya Perera
• Public Relations Director: Rtr. Ganga Bandara
The gathering was then addressed by the District Rotaract Representative PHF Rtr. Sathyeandra T. Singham. He thanked the Outgoing President Rtr. Ranisha Weerakoon for having completed a wonderful year. He also mentioned that the club is one of the rare and strong clubs with more than 100 members and 3 members resenting the district committee including the position of district secretary. He also appreciated Rtr. Ranisha for her hard work as the District Secretary. The DRR further appreciated and highlighted great Rotaractors produced by the Rotaract club of the University of Sri Jayewardenapura. He wished all the best for the incoming president Rtr. Abdul Baasit for a successful year.
The Chief Guest Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenapura, Professor Sampath Amarathunga, who was proud to talk about the club and what it has done in the previous year. He recalled how the club was initially started and he offered to help them as much as he can, in their future events. He proudly mentioned that he is utterly happy about what the club has achieved so far.
The Youth Committee Chair PHF Rtn. Farzana Khan mentioned that Rotaract was not there when she was an undergraduate and she was a Rotaractor outside the university, in the Rotaract Club of Colombo. She mentioned that what you do in Rotaract makes you special among the others when you enter the job market.
An entertainment item was performed by four undergraduates of the University lead by the IU directors Rtr. Randunu Dissanayake and Rtr. Lakal Ruhunnuge.
The Guest of Honor for the evening Rtn. Suranga Palliyaguruge mentioned that this club is a unique club and he also mentioned that human resource is the biggest resource and that you must use it to do good to the society. The joy you get after completing a project must be used as learning so that your journey will be truthful.
The honorable Chief Guest, Guest of Honor and Rotary Youth Service’s Chair were introduced to the gathering by Rtr. Sudeepa Guneratne, Rtr. Tharindi Wikramasurendra and Rtr. Ganga Bandara respectively. Tokens of appreciation were given to the above dignitaries by Rtr. President Abdul Baasit Sathar following their speeches. The floor was then open for Felicitation. We received wishes from more than 30 individuals representing Rotaract and Interact clubs and friends and family which also include a video clip from Rotaract club of Vadodara, India.
The Vote of Thanks was given by the joint secretary for the year 2015/ 2016 Rtr. Ishani Karunadasa, followed by the National Anthem. Rtr President Abdul Bassit Sathar concluded the ceremony for fellowship and refreshments which concluded the installation ceremony.
