RETROSPECT – A Rotaract Story

Rotaract movement in Sri Lanka celebrated its 50^th anniversary in 2019. It was such an extravagant movement for all of us Rotaractors as we celebrate friendships, fellowships and service with it. It is the high time for us in Rotaract Club of Badulla to look back on our pathway to this success and share experiences of our previous presidents and secretaries.

The Rotaract Club of Badulla, was chartered on 6th of May 2013, has 6 years of successful record of voluntary services. As one of the young club in the Rotaract District 3220 Sri Lanka and Maldives, it was recognized as the most outstanding club of the year among the newly chartered clubs, during its charter year 2013/2014. And also Rotaract Club of Badulla was awarded as the most outstanding emerging Rotaract Club of the year 2018-19 and got multiple recognitions in the Rotaract District Assembly 2019.

Here are the thoughts of our past presidents and secretaries on Rotaract, it’s 50 year celebration and how it changed their lives, Don’t forget to breath and have a good read!

•        Rotaract Year 2013/2014

Charter President: Rtr. Pramod Wattegedara  

I am Pramod Wattegedara ,and i am the charter president of Rotaract Club of Badulla at year 2013. That is the year i joined the movement by chartering its first ever Rotaract Club in Uva Province . It was a long and challenging  process to develop a volunteering club within the environment of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka . And after all these years i feel that my efforts are not in vain. Then with my experiences and success in Rotaract, i was fortunate enough to serve as a Rotaract Zonal Secretary in year 2014/15.All the projects from the zero point until end of my work period have always became my favorite Rotaract memories.

Rotaract is an unmatchable catalyst in promoting peace and harmony, co-existence and tolerance, personal development and professional ethics. And that was the major motive for me to join Rotaract.

To me, Rotaract is a true "partner in service" and a worldwide phenomenon, which addresses their communities’ physical and social needs while promoting international understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service. I am honored to be a part of it. As Rotaract in Sri Lanka celebrates its 50 th anniversary, I would like to wish all the Rotaractors and every one of the folks within the world physiological state, the bravery to face the uncertainty which can finish terribly before long hopefully. May Rotaract shines forever and be sturdy to assist all the impoverished people!

Through Rotaract, I have developed outstanding skills and located several friends across the planet that helped me later in several unexpected occasions. I found a good energy that helps me to face challenges, thanks to hardships we had, the tendencies we went through to boost the status of the club. Those experiences and qualities in Rotaract made me the person who i am today.

My message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join is "Make yourself to be beyond your own expectations" by being a Rotaractor.

  

•        Rotaract Year 2014/2015

President: Rtr.Malithi Neluhena

I am Malithi Shashiprabha Neluhena, 2nd president (2014/15) of Rotaract Club of Badulla . As the secretary of our precious club, we were fortunate enough to achieve the best charter club award 2014/15 at Rotaract District Assembly .Those years were full of unforgettable memories like, zonal meeting hosted by us at Namunukula peak and many more. And also Challenges faced by us when preparing for Charter installation of RAC Badulla are one of my favourite moments .

I chose to become a Rotaractor, because it provides the chance of doing good to the mankind. According to my point of view, Rotaract is a platform for the youth generation to be educated in human relations and to ensure continuing growth and personal development .Because of Rotaract; I developed my leadership skills and found many friends across the world which helped me later in many occasions. I found a great energy within me to face challenges due to hardships we went through to raise the club.

In this celebration of 50 years of Rotaract in Sri Lanka, I wish all the Rotaractors and all the people in the world good health and courage to face the uncertainty which will end very soon hopefully. May Rotaract shines forever and be strong to help all the needy people!

Society need volunteers more than ever. Especially with the current situation of the world your service and friendship is precious. Serve the earth and help people without considering race, religion or cast. This is my message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join.

 

Secretay: Rtr.Amanda Marasinghe

I am Amanda Sandani Marasinghe ;I started my Rotaract journey on 2013 ,and i was the secretary of RAC Badulla of the year 2014/15 I chose to become a Rotaractor because it gives me opportunities to be better, and do better Rotaract means being there when needed, a place with warm hearts and strong bonds.

 

When reminding unforgettable Rotaract memories there are so much,. You know these little insignificant moments nobody cares, but matters you the most, Rotaract was filled with those memories. One time we celebrated _‘Day of the Dead’_ for International Projects, had a BBQ (corn actually) and sang all night 🤩 And also Namunukula Hike and Madolsima Book Donation by RAC Badulla will also be in my heart as special memories . The hike to Namunukula, no water was on Top, too stupid not to carry them too, we made coffee with muddy water, same color as coffee 🤢 Nobody knew whether it was coffee or hot muddy water with sugar 😇 Nobody died !! 😅

 

Rotaract in sri lanka celebrates its 50^th  anniversary ! My heartiest congratulations for celebrating 50 years of service to the country, giving more than received. My message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join is this; If you’re a person who seeks happiness by seeing a person who’s in need is being Happy, by warmth of friendship, winning with a challenge, this is your place to be!

Love ❤ Rotaract!

 

•    Rotaract Year 2015/2016

President:Rtr.Vinidu Dayananda

My name is Vinindu Dayananda and I was the President of Rotaract Club for the year 2015/16 I joined Rotaract at 2015 and also was the Community Service Director of RAC Badulla for the year 2015/16. As special highlights in my Rotaract life , i can recall before being recognized for the best IR project(Day Of death) some other nomination i cant recall of 😁😁😁!  And also PETS AND SETS,  RYLA ,and countless number of projects made it colorful. Rotaract memories are simply unforgettable to me.I enjoyed every moment of it. What I never forget is the people whom I met. Each and every one is Unique and talented of their own. And fearless warriors who can achieve any endeavors in the life. Rotaract gave me the best moments in my life. So I love each moment I spend as a Rotaractor.

Why I chose to become a Rotaractor? Let me simplify with hash tags! #network #leadership #fun #friends #youthforacause #sharehappiness,  Once upon a time Rotaract meant everything for me.meetings,reports,projects,endless hardworking with sleepless nights. Today i am glad i was a Rotaractor. Deeply i miss it.

Rotaract truly made me the person who i am today! Believe me. I am a "sirimath" as the word means it. I didn’t know the capacity of mine. Because of Rotaract I expanded my Strengths. Became a peoples' person. Person who never hesitate to take every opportunity without second thoughts. And say NO to the negativity. Life is not all about just materialistic things. It meant something more than that. It’s a cocktail of Smiles, dedication, love, friendship etc. I must thanks Rotaract for giving me the best people which i can imagine of as my friends and bringing the best out of me. Rotaract life became my university life. The best memories in my Uni life were given by Rotaract. Best people at the Uni met because of Rotaract.

Rotaract in Sri Lanka celebrates its 50th anniversary! So all the future leaders! This is the best platform for you to grow up where ever you go; be a Rotaractor; and make a change. Rotaract is an opportunity; take it. Rotaract is a passion; follow it. Rotaract is a lifestyle; Just Live in it, My message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join is this! Join Rotaract today or worry Later! Viva la Rotaract.

Secretay:Rtr.Tharushi Pitigala

I am Tharushi Malshani Pitigala ,the Secretary of Rotaract Club of Badulla of the year 2015/16. My rotaract career started at 2014 and ever since each and every moment with my Rota fam is special to me. There are ao many unforgettable memories in my mind with Rota Badulla. But this is my favorite unforgettable memory is the project "Kussiya". We organized a cooking program with Rotaractors of Badulla Rotaract and we cooked Roti and curries. And I love the memories of polythene clean up project which we organized in 2015. And we did a street drama to aware the people. One time we celebrated _‘Day of the Dead’_ for International Projects, had a BBQ (corn actually) and sang all night ❤ And also Namunukula Hike and Madolsima Book Donation by RAC Badulla will also be in my heart as special memories .

I chose to become a rotaractor because I wanted to engage with people to develop my leadership skill, to share happiness, to serve others, to know and to give social responsibilities. At my joining year, Rotaract club was one of the newest club in Badulla and Uva Wellassa University and one of the very active club. I knew about Rotaract from my friends even when I was in School too. So when I heard about Rota Badulla I joined as soon as possible i could.

I always call Rotaract as a Family. It gave me the strength to stand in the society, gave me the leadership skill. I learned social responsibilities from Rotaract. It gave me opportunities to serve others who needs it. Most importantly it gave me non biological family. Rotaract made me the person who are i am today. Currently i am working as a wildlife researcher in a rural area in Sri Lanka and conducting carrier development programs for the students who need it. Rotaract influenced me a lot to build this personality that I have now.  

As Rotaract in sri lanka celebrates its 50^th  anniversary, i would like to wish "Happy Golden anniversary Rotaract in Sri Lanka!" Keep doing the god what was always did! Rotaract is not just a club for community services. Rotaract helps you to develop your personality. It helps you for your education. It helps you to make you a wise person with a big heart. Your words have great power, use them to support and inspire others.  So try your best and do best to yourself, others and to the society.

•                Rotaract Year 2016/2017

President:Rtr.Dhanusha Dissanayake

I am Dhanusha Dissanayake, the 4th President of Rotaract Club of Badulla .I have joined Rotaract in 2015 to Rotaract Club of Badulla became Director Club Service 2015/16 ,then Club President in 2016/17. In both 2015 and 2016 ,i Coordinated COD LAN Challenge for Membership Development and Club Services. And during my presidency, projects like Ifthar, Sticker Campaign with Rtr. Nimani Ganewatta and Rtr. Shashika Karunarathna and few pocket programs for membership development can be recall as special highlights.

Every Rotaract memory is unforgettable. RYLA 2015 and COD LAN Challenge nights were the best. I joined the first one as a player and next two were organized by myself. Than the project, the fun part came when we were travelling for the projects. For the record, Rotaract itself is fun.

I chose to become a Rotaractor for FUN, NETWORKING and RECOGNITION. For me, Rotaract has given me many indirect and Direct opportunities. I would like to point out that ,many employers prefer their candidates from that kinda background. And still, Rotaract is marketable for many things to get done and opportunities to be owned. Rotaract gave me the courage to follow out from the dark where I have never explored in myself before. Rotaract is one of the reason I am here today.

In this moment where Rotaract in sri lanka celebrates its 50^th anniversary, I wish Rotaract all the very best and District 3220 a successful future. My message for the people who are currently Rotaractors is Stay. You already know for what and how it's worth; And for Newbies: This gives you wings, not red bull. Join, Learn, Engage and Express yourself. You will end up having fun, a network of friends, a recognition and pool of opportunities around yourself.

        ·        Rotaract Year 2017/2018

President:Rtr.Damith De Silva

My name is Damith Chathuranga De Silva, the President of Rotaract Club of Badulla of the year 2017/18. My Rotaract journey started as an interactor. I was an Interactor when schooling, initial foundation to be a Rotaractor was laid through the experiences which gained as an Interactor. Later in 2015 when i came to university in badulla, i became a Rotaractor at Rotaract Club of Badulla, then Club Treasurer 2016/17, and became the President. All the projects of my club were special with their own way, and have a special place in my heart. Volunteering in social activities to uplift the society makes me happier all the time and always Love to build healthy social relationships to become a global citizen. Among my Rotaract memories My installation and my last project as President takes a special place in my heart.

Rotaract makes me feel like home, which is a feeling that actually harder to explain in words. From Rotaract, personally I have built great social relationships with likely minded people. And improved my personality and I'm more than happy and self satisfied on the fact that I have done something to make someone happier beyond my capacity.

Rotaract in Sri Lanka celebrates its 50^th anniversary! Rotaract is a volunteering movement with well-developed root system. Any individual who needs to make a change or be a change to make this world a better place while improving themselves are warmly welcome to this platform. In the 50th year of Rotaract 3220 my wish is to remain the spirit of Rotaract unchanged and may more young blood will engage in Rotaract.

My message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join is this. Get to know the true meaning and the spirit of Rotaract and question yourself whether those are the same reasons to join Rotaract. If yes engage if no skip.

Secretary:Rtr.Shashika Karunarathne

I am Shashika Karunarathna, the Secretary 2017/18 of Rotaract Club of Badulla . I have joined Rotaract in 2016 June. I can recall Pets and sets 2017, Yathra, Ronde & Cluster phase 2, The woods as special highlights in my Rotaract career.

I have a lot like a treasure full of memories and which made me have a bunch of amazing friends. Whether community service project like 'Yathra' or trip with cluster project members- 'Ronde' or even when we had to walk from badulla town to our boarding places after late night projects we found ways to enjoy them as we were more of a family than a organization / a club bounded by rules. And also when I was working as the secretary we had a strong group of presidents & secretaries from all over which made it fun and enthusiastic to join the projects of other clubs. Out of which we enjoyed roasting fellow presidents during the felicitations and truth or dare sessions we had throughout night at pets and sets. These unforgettable memories made my Rotaract life a colorful one.

I chose to become a Rotaractor because, I enjoyed the life of a Rotaractor and also i was inspired by Vinindu ayya to join this prestige movement. Rotaract to me is a Lifestyle and way of living plus a way to build up your network. It helped me to build the self confidence and the ability to adopt into any situation regardless its being good or worst.

As Rotaract in Sri Lanka celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year, I would like to give my warm wishes. In this moment, as a person who enjoyed Rotaract at its most is my message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join is this. Live in the moment and make it a lifestyle and always make an effort to build yourself while helping others to build themselves.

Project Yathra

        ·          Rotaract Year 2018/2019

President:Rtr.Samadhith Uthpala

I am Samadhith Uthpala Chiranjaya ,the Immediate Past President of Rotaract Club of Badulla. Social service has always became my passion. I was an active member of social service society of Richmond College Galle. It was the major motivation for me to join Rotaract, to continue my service towards the community.   My Rotaract career began at 2016 after i joined originally to RAC Badulla. I was the Treasurer at 2017/18 year and became the 6th president of RAC Badulla for the year 2018/19. It was such a privilege to guide this prestige club towards achieving Rotaract District Citation for the first time, Rotary International Presidential platinum citation and Multiple awards at 29th Rotaract District Assembly including the Best emerging Rotaract Club of the district. Projects like Yathra ( 2017)  ,Suraksha ( 2018) and  Lush ( 2018) are the my favorite ones which I chaired, which i served the community at a satisfactory level. I believe that Rotaract is a platform where you can understand who you are and what you want.

 Rotaract in Sri Lanka celebrates its 50^th anniversary! Throughout past 50 years Rotaract did a tremendous work for Sri Lanka. Which we are doing today and will be done tomorrow. Am simply proud to be a part of that incomparable service. Rotaract has taught me the true meaning of sustainability and it helped me to serve people in a productive way.

One of my unforgettable Rotaract memories are related to project Yathra in 2018- Our delivery vehicle was broke down with Lochana, Muvindu and Srimal in a village which is often attacked by wild elephants. And we had to travel about 3 times to puttalam from Anamaduwa to bring parts for vehicle in a Poya day. It was such adventurous and memorable days of my life. My message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join is simply Engage Rotaract and inspire the nation.

Viva La Rotaract !

Secretary:Rtr.Kasunka Muthumala

I am Kasunka Himangi Muthumala, Secretary 2018/19 of Rotaract Club of Badulla .

 I started my Rotaract life back in 2015 at achievers Lanka business school as a member but couldn’t continue as I got into Uni. With that thought, I was looking for a opportunity to join such a club where I could be engaged with the community and to do something back to them. I understood how important it is to be not just a person but someone who is worth for the society and I strongly believed that Rotaract is the most suitable place for that.

I was the assistance secretary of RAC Badulla 2017/2018,during this time we were able to stabilize the club again by participating in many activities and organizing many With the help of that, and in year 2018/19 ,i have become club secretary ,and the club won many recognitions including gold, silver and bronze awards for the services we have given for the community. We were also able to gather more people around badulla Rotaract which helped it to expand further in the Rotaract community. As i am a resident in Colombo, traveling almost 258 km just to complete club work will always be a memory for me ♥

 For the person I have become today, Rotaract has done a huge part of it and I’m proud to be a part of this beautiful movement ♥ I learned depth of being a responsible person, to whom anyone can lean on. When I was serving as the secretary for the club, it was a huge task to drive the club with a common vision and at the same time, facing so many challenges. Rotaract is the best place to improve yourself professionally and as a simple human being. Today, I was able to adopt myself to the corporate world very easily and to be recognized as outstanding individual.

Rotaract in Sri Lanka celebrates its 50^th anniversary! Looking over the years, it has been an amazing journey where the society was highly served with care and love. Rotaract is the best place to improve yourself by improving others. I wish from the bottom of my heart that, this beautiful movement in Sri Lanka will continue to serve the community for many more uncountable years ahead. My message for the people who are currently Rotaractors or ones who wish to join is this; Join this beautiful movement and embrace the beauty of humanity! Get the most out of it as it will definitely help you to find your own capacities.

 Rotaract District Assembly 2019

Edited and Prepared by Rtr.Hemansi Oshadie- Rotaract Club of Badulla