Empowering Education : A Journey with Project Heena - Phase 01

Our 5th Installation Ceremony

Rtr. Chameli Liyanage

Chartered on the 16^th of October, 2012 by Past President Gautam Kumar the Rotaract Club of College of Chemical Sciences has now grown to a membership of 90 members made up of undergraduates aspiring to be geniuses in Chemistry. Under the wings of the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency, our club is one of the finest university based Rotaract clubs in Sri Lanka. Having not only been awarded the Presidential Citation and the District Citation last year, some of our projects have also been nominated for the Most Outstanding Fundraiser (Cricketeract ’15) and the Most Outstanding Community Service Projects of the Year (#BeTheLight for the focus area of Maternal, Child Health, Disease Prevention and Treatment; Readathon for the focus area of Education and Literacy). With a bunch of talented young scientists as Rotaractors we have not only increased in the number of projects in different avenues but our projects have been reaching out to change lives of many individuals.

Adorned in black and gold; on the 25^th of July, 2016 the 5^th Installation Ceremony of President Imasha Yapa and her Board of Directors, was held at the PPGL Auditorium, CCS at 6.30 p.m. With an outstanding attendance of over 200 people consisting of Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends of Rotaract, the evening was truly a memorable one.

Our Chief Guest for the occasion was Rtn. Anura Warnakulasuriya, President of our parent Rotary club; and the Honorary Rector of CCS Prof. S. P. Deraniyagala was our Guest of Honor with the Dean of CCS, Prof. Priyani Paranagama participating as our Special Guest. The dignitaries, District Rotaract Committee Chairperson, Rtn. PHF. Sanjeewa Fernando and District Rotaract Representative, Rtr. PP. Mohamed Husni also charmed the evening with their presence. In addition, President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Mr. M. Haniffa; Student Council Mentor, Dr. M. Infas and Registrar, Mr. N. I. N. S. Nadarasa participated representing the academic board of CCS. Moreover, IPP. Rtn. PHF. Shanaka Perera and Rtn. PP. Gehan De Alwis from the Rotary Club of Colombo Regency also made an appearance to show us their support. It was also a pleasure to see IPDRR. Rtr. PHF. PP. Satheandra T. Singham and DRRE. Rtr. Anuradha Senanayake at the event as well. Unfortunately, Youth Service Committee Chairperson, Rtn. PP. PHF. Selvarajah Maherakanth, was unable to make it.

The gathering was welcomed by the project chair, Rtr. Roshani Madurawala. The lighting of the oil lamp was followed by the Flag Salutation, Rotaract Invocation and the Rotaract Song which was recited by Rtr. Sachinie Gunathilake. Sargent-At-Arms, Rtr. Ashen Samaranayake then called the house to order. The event commenced subsequent to the arrival of the distinguished dignitaries to the head table. Rtr. Shashika Perera presented the secretary’s report for the year 2015/16 covering all the projects done in the past year. Following this, the outgoing president, Rtr. Udesha Bopitiya, addressed the gathering. In her speech she thanked her board members and all fellow members of the club for supporting her in making the year a humongous success. 

She then officially handed over her president-ship to Rtr. Imasha Yapa, President for the year 2016/2017. 

Rtr. Sahan Gunarathne gave an interesting introduction to the new president for the year who was then invited to the podium to address the gathering. President Rtr. Imasha Yapa began her speech with a wonderful quote by John Lennon. She introduced our theme for the year “From Dreams to Reality” and went on to thank everyone who has supported her.

Next, Rtr. Sachinie Gunathilake took the mic and introduced the new Board of Directors for the year 2016/17 with style.

Immediate Past President – Rtr. Udesha Bopitiya

President – Rtr. Imasha Yapa

Vice President – Rtr. Sameera Chathuranga

Vice President – Rtr. Pathum Serasinghe

Secretary – Rtr. Chameli Liyanage

Assistant Secretary – Rtr. Afnan Azeem

Sargent-At-Arms – Rtr. Ashen Samaranayake

Editor – Rtr. Nethmie Jayasooriya

Treasurer – Rtr. Eshani Gunathilake

Finance Director – Rtr. Danisha Samarasinghe

Club Service Director – Rtr. Tharushi Silva

Professional Development Director – Rtr. Roshani Madurawala

Community Service Director – Rtr. Isuru Gamagedara

Community Service Director – Rtr. Samadhi Nawalage

International Service Director – Rtr. Hashini Perera

Sports Director – Rtr. Cristo Pieris

Sports Director – Rtr. Nadun Kodikara

Public Relations Director – Rtr. Lakalya De Silva

Public Relations Director – Rtr. Yohani Block

I.T. Director – Rtr. Thimira Kavish

District Rotaract Representative, Rtr. PP. M. Husni, was later invited to the podium to speak a few words. He mentioned that one thing he liked particularly about our club was that our projects were more of quality and high sustainability.

Consequently, District Rotaract Committee Chair, Rtn. PHF. Sanjeewa Fernando, spoke a few words about his Rotaract years in his undergraduate days. He advised us to meet new people and use this opportunity to develop our personality and expand our personal network.

Rtr. Samadhi Nawalage took the podium and gave a lovely introduction to our Guest of Honor, Prof. S. P. Deraniyagala, who was later invited to address the crowd. He mentioned that he was extremely proud of everything IPP. Rtr. Udesha Bopitiya has done through Rotaract and that he knows President Rtr. Imasha Yapa is perfectly capable of following Udesha’s footsteps.

To lighten up the event, Rtr. Yohani Block and Thrishal Aturupane graced the evening with a beautiful duet as the entertainment item.

 Afterwards, our Special Guest for the evening, Prof. Priyani Paranagama was called upon to speak to the gathering after a brief introduction by Rtr. Hashini Perera.

Introduced by Rtr. Lakalya De Silva, our Chief Guest for the evening, Rtn. Anura Warnakulasuriya, was invited to speak a few words. He went ahead to congratulate IPP. Rtr. Udesha Bopitiya on a job well done and he wished President Rtr. Imasha Yapa on a successful year ahead and mentioned that his club would always be there to support her.

After the tokens of appreciations were presented to the dignitaries, the podium was called for felicitation.

Rtr. Chameli Liyanage, Secretary for the year 2016/17, then delivered the Vote of Thanks which was followed by the National Anthem. Finally, President Rtr. Imasha Yapa concluded the 5^th Installation Ceremony of the Rotaract Club of CCS for fellowship and refreshments.

The evening was a pleasant one and the gathering, friendly. A hearty sense of gratitude goes out to everyone who turned up amidst their busy schedules. We’re looking forward to working with each and every one of you in the (not so far) future!