Page 1Leos of Lanka

Leos of Lanka

The Official Newsletter of Leo Multiple District 306 Sri Lanka

First Issue - December 2013

Page 2Leos of Lanka

v

Leos of Sri Lanka elect their new Leo Leaders

Leos of Sri Lanka have elected their new Leo leaders for six Leo Districts and for Leo Multiple as well for Leoistic year 2013/2014. Leo Anju Supun, Leo Kaneel Maddumage, Leo Arjuna Mahadewa, Leo Rajitha Abeygunasekara, Leo Sudheera Bandara and Leo Jayangi Pathiranage were elected as District Presidents of 306 A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 respectively. Leo Buddhika Lakmal was elected as the Multiple District President of Leo Multiple 306. Leo Anju

Supun will serve as the Multiple District Vice President for the Leoistic year 2013/2014. Our beloved PCC Lion Anver Dole will remain serving as the Multiple District Leo Chairperson for this year as well. IPDP Leo Isuru Senadheera and IPDP Leo Shaminda Livera were appointed as Multiple District Scretary and Multiple District Treasurer respectively by Multiple District President Leo Buddhika Lakmal to serve Leos of Sri Lanka.

The first everDistrict Presidents’ forum

The first ever District Presidents’ Forum was held on 3rd and 4th August in Horana. The workshop was started at 10.00 pm on 3rd August and went up to 5.00 pm on 4th August. The objective of this forum was to bridge the knowledge gap between Leoistic years. The program was conducted in a strategic way which was facilitatedwith some important topics, such as “District Presidents’ to network”, “share knowledge” and “learn newthings”.

The workshop was included with a strategic session by a professional

trainer from Sri Lanka Youth. Leadership, grievance handling, goal setting, life balance and time management; Year Planing, tips and tricks in managing Districts by PDG Lion Kamal Senevirathne MJF; Experience sharing by IPDP Leo Isuru an Multiple District Operations and its challenges / brainstorming and agreeing on deadlines, common conventions by PCC Lion Anver Dole MJF.

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Page 3Leos of Lanka

Mass Orientation is the event where the new members of the leo family

for the fresh leoistic year 2013/14 are directed and incorporated in to leoism, it is the place where they are acknowl-edged about the benefits of this wonderful community and established to reap to

their maximum potential.

This year also, the Mass orientation was held as a multiple event, successfully

on the 6th of October at Lions Activity Center , Colombo 7 with a participation of over 200 leos. The occasion was graced by Multiple District Chairman for Leos, Lion Anver Dole MJF, as Chief Guest, together with Guest speakers Past Multiple District Presidents Sadeepa Palliyaguru, Leo Lion Kamal Jayathikale and Lion Shehan Kumar and Leo Chathuranga Gunasekara.

Our sincere appreciation goes to trainer Mr. Nalin from Sir Lankan Youth, PDG Lion Ka-mal Senevirathne MJF, PCC Lion Anver Dole MJF, DP Leo Kaneel Maddumage, DP Leo Rajitha Abeygunasekara, DP Leo Sudheera Bandara, DP Leo Jayangi Pathiranage, MDS Leo Isuru Senad-heera, MDT Leo Shaminda Livera and Leo Hiranya Perera for all the support extended to make it a reality.

LEOLeadershipExperienceOpportunity

Leo District Presidents’ Forum Ctd

The Editorial TeamChief Editor: Leo Nimasha SajendraniEditors: Leo Dinusha Amarasekara, Leo Abiserck Mathanasegar Newsletter Designed by Leo Themiya Bandara.

Leo Mass Orientation 2013

Page 4Leos of Lanka

It gives me great honor to to convey this message to Leos of Sri Lanka as the chief of Multiple District 306. The time period we pave passed up to now, indeed was a very busy and challenging one for each and every one of us as Leos. Making a difference in our society, archiving difficult goals, Sri Lankan Leo Family brightly shined with leadership.

As a Multiple, we are very luck to have enthusiastic, vibrant six Leo District Presidents to lead six Districts. With their great leadership and unity, we have already made lots of progress for these few months. This edition cov-ers the important moments of that time period. Our editorial team has put the best to make the insights to be heard in a very colorful way.

We Hope you all will enjoy the good read and contnue the good work in the rest of the year.

Leo Buddhika Lakmal, Leo Multiple District President 2013/2014

Message by Leo Multiple District President

Past Multiple District Presidentsjoin their hands actively with Leo Multiple

Inaugural Past Multiple District Presidents’ Council was held on 8th November 2013 at Lions Activity Center Colombo 7. For last few years Leo multiple council has been faced an important administration gap with PMDP Council.PMDP Lion Manjula Wijesundara, Lion Shehan Kumar, Lion Tuan Roshan, Sadeepa Palliyaguru, Leo Lion Kamal Jayathilake,

Leo Dhanushka Ramanayake, MDCL Lion Anver Dole MJF were presented in this inaugural meeting. PMDP Lion Shehan Kumar was appointed as the inaugural chairman of PMDP Council. Lots of valuable things were discussed in the meeting, including a strategic plan for the Leoism of Sri Lanka for next ten years.

In Sri Lanka, over 2500 young personals in over 120 Leo Clubs serve the community to make a difference.

Page 5Leos of Lanka

Leo Mass Induction which was a multiple event this year was held successfully on the 27th of October at National Museum Auditorium. The objective of growing the Leo family of Sri Lanka was well achieved. Over 250 Leos were inducted from all 6 districts and Lion Padamasiri Ranawakarachchi MJF JP, graced the event as chief guest.

LEO MASS INDUCTION

I have been very impressed with the Leo Leaders with whom I have interacted over the past few years. Their organizational capability, planning, IT skills, and level of performance and delivery, is often superior to most of the Lions Clubs.

The Leos have the uncanny ability to whip-up tremendous enthusiasm for projects, at even short notice. Their networking is amazing!

Congratulations to MDP Leo Buddhika Lakmal, MD Secretary Leo Isuru Senadheera, MD Leo Treasurer S. Livera and the rest of the Multiple team, for their dedication and commitment in driving the Leo Multiple forward.

The high standards maintained by Sri Lankan Leos has won international acclaim, and this is a matter of great pride to all of us. PCC Lion Anver DoleMD Leo Chairperson Message from

Multiple District Leo Chairperson

Page 6Leos of Lanka

I convey this message for the Multiple Newsletter which marks the first Newslet-ter for the fiscal year 2013/2014. With pride and respect for all hard work put in the Leos of the Editorial Committee. Under the guid-ance of the Multiple District President Leo Buddhika Lakmal and six District Presidents, the Leos dedicated their valuable time to make this dream a success.

As the Multiple Newsletter Chief Editor I am really happy to see the enthusiasm and the team work among the Leos. Not only the Editorial Committee but all the Lions, Leos and all who helped us with their innovative ideas and all the support they gave us with their true spirit of Leoism.

And as Leos of Sri Lanka, together we can extend a helping hand to make our society a better place for all of us.

We live only once, but if we do it right, once is enough.

Leo Nimasha Sajendrani

Chief Editor – Leo Multiple Newsletter

Editor’sMessage

Mohandas Gandhi was the pre-eminent ideological and political leader of India during the Indianindependence movement. He pioneered Satyagraha; which is defined as resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience. This is a philosophy based on complete non-violence.

This idea assisted India in gaining its independence, and provided motivation for civil rights and freedom all across the world.

After assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaignsto ease poverty, expand women’s rights, build religious and ethnic amity, end “untouchability,” and increase economic self-reliance.

Gandhi lived very modestly in a self-sufficient residential community. He wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl that he hand-spun. He ate vegetarian food, experimented with a fruitarian diet, and fasted as a means of self-purification and protest.

Leos, as young individuals practicing leadership to make a difference in our societies, it’s worth to apply these 5 must-read life lessons from Gandhi:

1. Be the Change“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Be the example, be the leader. If you lead properly people will follow, and together you will change the world. Anyone can complain, anyone can blame, and most do, but if you desire to change, then “you” be the change.

2. Ask the Right Questions“The power to question is the basis of all human progress.” The quality

of your life is in direct proportion to the quality of the questions that you dare to ask. Are you asking the right questions? Are you asking the right people? You can’t get answers, without questions; you can’t make progress, without an inquiring mind.

3. Always Act“Have a bias towards action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.” If you’re going to be biased, be biased towards making something happen today. Tomorrow never comes, any progress to be made, must be made today. It must be made right now! If you don’t act now, you don’t have a future, just a longer today. Gandhi said, “The future

depends on what we do in the present.”

4. Forgive“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” It’s not “weaklings” who are quick-to-forgive; it’s those who are strongest. The ability to forgive quickly is a sign of strength. How strong are you? If you’ve been weak in the past, you can begin today to be strong.

5. Monitor Your Beliefs“Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny.”

In short, your beliefs will create your destiny. What do you believe? What do you believe about yourself, your future, and your potential? What you believe, you will surely become.

5 must-read life lessons from Gandhi

Page 7Leos of Lanka

“Arogya Parama Labaa”Service Project by Leo Club of Horana Mid CityThis is a continuous monthly project carried out by Horana Mid City Leos. Under this project, medicine envelopes were donated to hospitals in the Horana area. Over 2500 medicine envelopes were donated to Halthota Reigon Hospital and Horana base hospital

It is with great pleasure I pen these words to the Multiple News Letter as an Advisory Panel member of the Lions Clubs International.

The Leo Club program is a wonderful program for youth, if the true motive is properly understood, I am very happy to state that the Leo Club program in Sri Lanka is growing in a steady state and with the proper orientation programs and Guidance the Program and its members both will gain many for a brighter future as it will be a win win situation.

We also have to expand more towards networking with the other Leo Clubs in the LCI, I have seen some of the Leading Leo Clubs already conducting various programs, so we should move further in towards the other Leo clubs who have not conducted such programs due to various reason, one main reason being the communication barrier, it is time we conduct few programs

to uplift the level of communication skills among Leos, by conducting Public speaking training and how to use technology for

a better tomorrow kind of programs, With our great combinations of current and past Leo leaders and the able and caring Guidance of Multiple Council Chairperson for Leos PMCC Lion Anver Dole, this task is just in the brink of implementing so let’s get started.

Al the best to all the Leos and I wish more strength courage and the Blessing of the Triple Gem to guide us towards a better tomorrow, for the Leo Club Program and its members.

Yours always in service,Leo Dhanushka RamanayakeAdvisory Panelist - International Leo Club ProgramImme. Past Multiple President - 306 Sri Lanka

Message byImmediate Past Multiple District President

Page 8Leos of Lanka

Leo Walk is one of the major events in the cal-endar of Leo Multiple District 306. In every year, Leos from all around the island gather in Colombo to join their hands to step for-

ward together to promote a worthy cause.

This year, Leos of Sri Lanka will get-together to pro-mote International President’s theme – “Follow Your

Dream”. Asia Pacific Institute of Information Tech-nology has been partnered with Leo Mul-

tiple as the main sponsor for Leo Walk 2013. Derana TV and Radio (local) will

act as the official media partners. Hence Leo Walk will be a mega PR and Image building Leo event in Sri Lanka, to celebrate the Internation-al Leo Day.

The Walk will take place on Sunday 15th of December 2013 in Colombo. It

will be starting at 2.00 pm from Mahana-ma College, Colombo 03 and will be following

through R A De Mal Mawatha, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Thumulla, Cambridge Place, Albert Crescent and fi-nally will be reaching Viharamahadevi Open Theater.

Walk 2013Follow Your Dream

LEO

“Nanasa” Educational SeminarBy Leo Club of PiliyandalaUnder the topic “Human Rights” Leo club of Piliyandala organized a seminar titled as “Nanasa” to educate around 150 students at AnandaSamarakoonVidyalaya. The Guest Speaker for the seminar was Mr. Cary Goulston.

Page 9Leos of Lanka

A Chat with a Leader

What motivated you to venture into Lionism?

To be frank I was initially a reluctant Lion. It was Past Governor Lion Oswin Silva(the last Gov. of District 306 before the bifurcation) who first repeatedly requested me to join. It was PCC Lion Cassian Fernando who finally succeeded in convincing me in 1979. I was made Secretary the next year & then began to understand the true meaning and impact of Lionism.

What are your values in Lionism?

To extend a helping hand to those inneed.The power of synergy when a Club undertakes a project, as opposed to an individual.The awareness that the entire Club is with you, even at times of personal need.

How do you see the importance of Leo movement as the future of Lionism?

Leos experience at an early age the value of selfless service to the disadvantaged.They know what it means to ‘care’ and ‘share’.They are therefore the ideal ‘breeding ground’

from which future Lions can emerge. But the graduation from Leo to Lion must be carefully nurtured.

What were the challenges that you faced while working with Leos?

Most modern day Leos are very intelligent, talented, and possess multifarious skills. One needs to recognize that times have changed, and behavioural patterns have changed too. I am broad-minded and tolerant, and therefore coalesce easily with youth. Working with them has therefore never been a challenge.

How did you overcome those challenges?

I am always conscious of the diversity ofopinion within them. I encourage them to engage in meaningful discussion, and then through debate and engagement, to move towards consensus.

What is the energy you see in Leoism that should be improved for the betterment with your experience?

Their organizational skills and preentation skills are awesome, and some of them tend to be carried away by their enthusiasm. They need to bear in mind that they are a project of a Lions club and therefore, must not, and cannot, act independently.The Leos need to work closely with their respective Leo Advisers and Lions Club Presidents.

How do you see the Leoism in SriLanka?

Leoism in Sri Lanka is of a very high standard.This has been acknowledged by LCI. Our Leos have been recognized internationally and many hold international office.

What is your message to Leoism as a Lion who has a global recog-nition?

Leoism is not only a beautiful instrument of service, it gives one the opportunity to improve one’s leadership qualities, personality and soft skills.You network with other youth and have good, clean fun as well.

Multiple District Leo ChairpersonPCC Lion Anver Dole MJF

Page 10Leos of Lanka

Plant a tree and heal the world Leo Club of Colombo Plaza conducted a tree planting campaign

Leos of Leo Club of Colombo Plaza successfully distributed more than 100 plants among the people in Crow Island beach side and encour-aged them to grow the plants and to have a pleasant environment. This project was held on 28th of September 2013.

Leo s of Colombo Plaza also conducted “Smiley Children”, the children’s day celebration on 06th October 2013 at “Mau Sewana” children’s home. The Leos of LC Colombo Plaza organized a cricket tournament for the children of the home and distributed refreshment items & education-al instruments. Some Cricket instruments were also contributed for the children.

A little over 44 years ago on 20th Oct 1969, a group of 17 young Leos were inducted into the Leo Club of Colombo as the second Leo Club by then District Governor Lion Dr. Shelton Cabraal.

The Clubs first Leo Advisor was Lion Shelton Abeysuriya and the Charter President was Leo Sepala Amarasuriya. With a very successful fundraiser that year the club managed to raise funds to build a playground in Wellawatta. That indeed was a remarkable start for a beautiful journey. These 17 Leos laid the foundation for the many generations of Leos that have passed through the annals of the Leo Club of Colombo.

The Leo Club of Colombo has produced exceptional Leo leaders and hundreds of committed Leos to the movement. Leos Dinal Jayamanne and Richard Ebell went on to become District President of the then Leo District 306 while Leos Mohan Burhan, Azeem Azwer, Shyana Wijayaratne, Shehan Kumar went on to become District President of Leo District 306 A. More recently, Leo Dhashanthie Gamalatge, Leo Ricky Simms, Leo Asitha Pinnaduwa served as District Presidents of 306 A1, including the current District President Leo Anju Panditharatne.

Leos Azeem Azwer, Shehan Kumar and Ricky Simms went a step further by being elected as the Multiple District

President of Leo Multiple District 306,

During the presidency year of PDP Lion Asitha Pinnaduwa, the club achieved its utmost recognition by-far when it was adjudged as the Best Leo Club of the World at Lions International Convention 2008 while president himself was among the top three finalists for the Leo of the Year Award.

In 44 years of a span, with producing hundreds of Leos to the movement, Leo Club of Colombo is to continue its service for the years to come

Leo Club of ColomboServing Community & Grooming Leaders since 1969, The Story of the Longest Standing Leo Club in Sri Lanka

Page 11Leos of Lanka

Leo Club of Negombo Host, together with Lions club of Negombo Host, Lions Club of Negombo Past Leos and Prefects Association of Ave Maria Convent organized a Career guidance and Leadership symposium for school prefects of the schools around Negombo.

This project was initiated for the Lions International President’s youth month declaration “Engage our youth” and was conducted with the guidance of Project Chairperson & President of Leo Club of Negombo Host Leo Kasun Rajapakse & with the advice of District Global Leadership Team Coordinator Lion Victor Stephen. Event was successfully held on 30th August at the Ave Maria Convent with the participation of 100+ school prefects, Leos, Rotaracters and youth in Negombo. Event was also witnessed by the Multiple District President 306, Leo Buddika Lakmal, District Secretary 306B1 Leo Nimasha Fernando, and District President of District 306 B2, Leo Rajitha Abeygunasekara.

A learned senior lecturer panel from APIIT Sri Lanka addressed the gathering on Career Management and IT, Business and Law opportunities in Sri Lanka. Also participants were given away some gift items for the quizzes thrown at them during the sessions. Lion Kamal Jayathilaka addressed the gathering on developing personal and leadership skills. Leo club of Negombo Host also made this an opportunity to grab the attention of youth about Leoism with the presentation ‘Leading for Life’ by Lions International. Participants were also refreshed with the snacks been served during the program and at the end, all the participants were given away a valuable participation certificate. With the sponsorship of APIIT Sri Lanka, we could successfully conduct this project worth around 25,000LKR with a great feedback from all participants.

Next Level Leadership Symposium

Page 12Leos of Lanka

Sawiyak Awasi Kala A service project by by Leo Clubs of Ingiriya United & University of Moratuwa

Along with the concept of “Together against the cancer”, Leos of Ingiriya United & University of Moratuwa initiated this project for the patients in National Cancer Hospital, Maharagama , to give specially prepared treatment, beverage made with medical grain, which helps to keep their health safe.

Mahesh Abeywickrama Memorial Championship

Mahesh Abeywickrama memorial championship, the annual debate competition which was organized by the Leo club of University of Moratuwa, successfully completed with the participation of 12 schools located around the university area. This project mainly organized focusing the literacy month of the year, to encourage the Sinhala debating skills of the students

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