නව වසරක් , නව දැක්මක් ~ 2010 ට සුබ පැතුම් !

Happy New Year !

ලියෝ සාමාජිකයන්ට හා සිංහයන්ට සුබ නව වසරක් පතන්නේ මහත් සතුටිනි. මේ වසර ලියෝ බහු දිස්ත්‍රික්ක 306 ට ඉතා වැදගත් වසරක් වූ අතර මේ වසරට සාර්ඨක ආරම්භයක් ලැබුන අතර අගනා වැඩසටහන් රැසක් සංවිදානය කිරීමට හැකි විය. මේ සියලු වැඩසටහන් ලියෝ සමාජ හා දිස්ත්‍රික්ක වල සහයෝගයෙන් කෙරුන ඒවා වේ.

මට හා බහු දිස්ත්‍රික් කවුන්සිලයට 2009 වසර තුල ලබා දුන් සහයෝගයට ඔබට ස්තුතිවන්ත වන අතර 2010 අමතක නොවන වසරක් කර ගැනීමේ “සිහින” රැසක් අපට ඇත. ඒවා මුදුන්පත් කර ගැනීමට ඔබේ සහය තව දුරටත් අපේක්ශා කරමි.

මේ වැඩසටහන් අතර බහු දිස්ත්‍රික් සම්මේලනය , ක්‍රීඩා උලෙල හා තවත් නායකත්ව පුහුණු වැඩසටහන් කිහිපයක් පෙල ගැසී ඇත.

මේ “සිංහාවලෝකනයට‍” වේලාවයි. පසුගිය වසර දෙස හැරී බලන්න. ඔබ ලියෝ සමාජය , කවුන්සිලය හා ලියෝ වරයෙක් ලෙස ඔබ කර ඇති මෙහෙවර දෙස හැරී බැලීමට කාලයයි මේ. ! ඔබ සමාජයේ පරිපාලනය , සේවා වැඩසටහන් හා සාමාජිකත්වය දෙස හැරී බලා එම අංශ දියුණු කිරීමට කාලයයි මේ !

ඔබට සුබ නව වසරකට ආසිරි පතමි.

ලියෝ සදීප පල්ලියගුරු

ලියෝ බහු දිස්ත්‍රික් සභාපති – 2009 / 2010

A Walk to remember

Getting ready for the walk

Wow ! Yes it was  indeed a Leo Walk to remember. What didn’t we had ? We had everything to make a memorable walk. We had nearly 470 participants to make a proud parade to mark the 40 years anniversary of Leoism in Sri Lanka.

The parade was led by a colorful parade symbolizing the Sri Lankan national identity. It included leos representing the different ethnic groups of Sri Lanka. All the leos of 306 A1 were carrying national flags and it was a colorful opening to the parade. It also had the “Leo Prince” 🙂

Leo Prince

In-front of them was the 40 years sign on a decor. This was created by Leos of University of Moratuwa of 306 A2 and the cab was sponsored by DP 306 C1 Leo Danushka Sandanayaka. It featured the 40 years leo logo.

We had a cycle squad as well. They lead the front of the parade and at one moment we also had A1 DP Shohana also on a bike ! I am sure the bike squad had more fun . They were criss crossing the streets with national flags.

District 306 B2 had the most active parade. They were dancing , singing and rocking the whole parade. They were the “green army” of the parade. Led by District president Dinesh Thyagarajah they also had a wonderful participation.  Dinesh was almost like Lasith Malinga with his painted hair :). They enjoyed the whole walk with their music and dance.

I personally felt that all the Leos had lots of fun (even though some were complaining about leg aches after the walk) in the walk. I am amazed to see the number of leos who took part in this great event. They rallied in for a common cause showing the strength of the Leos. Special thanks to all the Leos from Matara , Panadura , Galle and Trinco for being there to make this walk a memorable one.

Special Thanks for Leo Thiru who organized this event. He made it a memorable 40 year celebration. Also i should thank all the organizing Leo clubs for their effort, almost all the clubs did their best in organizing. Special thanks also goes to Leo Dhanushka Sandanayaka and his home club for the camp site decorations.

As those who were there at the camp fire saw, for the first time in the history of leoism we ignited a camp fire on a coconut tree. This added a bit of fun and exitement to the event. Yet this will not happen at future camp fires :).

Walk Chairman climbing "the" coconut tree

Water buckets never hit the tree , yet they hit a District President and a District Chairman

Thank you all the Leos for your participation! Leoism rocked Colombo on that day !!!

Leo Strength !

You made it happen ! While completing this long due blog post let me once again thank you for your support !

Spirit of synergy !!

Lets walk celebrating “40 Years of Excellence”

Leo movement in Sri Lanka is reaching maturity. It is celebrating 40 years anniversary. First Leo clubs were initiated in year 1969. The very first Leo clubs of Sri Lanka were Leo Club of Wattala and Leo Club of Colombo (Host).

Leoism has created a proud legacy. Leo members have developed the qualities of leadership throughout the experience and Opportunities provided through the Leo movement.

In it’s life of 40 years Leo clubs have helped many people. They have brought smiles to many faces.

Join with all Leos of Sri Lanka to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Leoism in Sri Lanka.

Leo Walk 2009

Saturday 5th December 2009

Registration: 3.00 PM Onwards…….
Starting from Mahanama College, Colombo 03 To Lions Activity center, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 07

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT…
Leo Thiru       : 0779 213 766
Leo Nirupa     : 0773 413 225
Leo Sadeepa : 0716 849 706

Leadership Symposium Succesful !

Hi Friends ,

Writing a blog post which is long overdue. Leo Multiple completed it’s first leadership seminar organized for the Leos of Sri Lanka. This was organized by Leo Club of Kandana Ja-Ela of district 306 B2.

The objective of this event was to provide a leadership development platform to the Leos . More than 90 Leos belonging to the six Leo districts of Sri Lanka attended this event. Mrs. Gauri Shankar, director of Studies CIMA Sri Lanka and Mr. Asanga Warusawithana head of corporate sales of Softlogic attended this workshop as resource personals. Both sessions focused on developing leadership and communication skills through interactive methodologies.

Apart from being my first multiple project , i enjoyed this project a lot. Both trainers were very interactive , Mrs. Gauri Shankar captured the audience and she delivered a great session and similarly Mr. Asanga also delivered interesting insights to the life.

In addition to the leos we had a special lion who stayed with leos throughout the session. It was PMP Lion Tuan . Tuan was picked for several speaking activities as well. It was great to see a past Leo leader speaking about his life :). Sure it motivated a lot of participants.

Leos also enjoyed the Lions Vs Leos debate initiated by Mr. Asanga . It was great to see a groups of Leos trying to defend leoism. Among speakers we had Leo Dinesh , DP 306 B2 , Leo Thiru , PDP 306 B2 and many Leo and Lion leaders.

Certificates were distributed and Leo Club of Lindsay Girls School won the award for highest participation and Leo District 306 C1 received the highest participation award.

I hope all Leos enjoyed this workshop. I make this opportunity to thank Leo Rajitha and Leo Amanda and all members of Leo Club of Kandana Ja-Ela for organizing this wonderful project.

In the line up of the multiple we have several leadership development programs including a PR workshop , a ‘different quiz competition’ and a series of regional leadership development workshops.

 

 

Being at the Lions Roar

Even though it’s a bit late to write this, just thought of writing a word about the Lion Roar organized by Leos of Leo Club of Moratuwa Orient.

This project is one of the major events of Moratuwa Orient calendar and it’s a really fun one. This is the first time i have participated but came to know that this was organized for the fifth consecutive time. This project is one of their fundraisers and it’s a good platform to build and renew friendships.

The show started with a performance by a Leo of Matara who sang Celine Dion’s “Every Night” from Titanic. I was so happy to see leos from far away areas like Matara being there. Then many leos and Lions sang. District President of 306 A2 while district chairman Lion Asitha Sang “Oba Apple Malak Wage”. It was good to hear and see the unseen talents of the leo friends. Not forgetting Lion Dan De Silva who sang “Muwa Hasarali Sagare” , who has been a leo previously and now a cabinet officer singing.

Also i got the oppostunity of meeting Past Leo Osanda (who is known as Osa) and good to see him again. As i had to leave early i have missed the performances of Moratuwa Orient Leos , but i am sure they were fun filled.

It’s great to see how Leos and Lions together could to great service to the community. I think that this is a good example to all leos of multiple how to keep good relationships with sponsoring Lions Clubs.

Well done Leos of Moratuwa Orient.

Well Done Guys and Gals

Read more about the project at here and here

In to the Wild – 306 A2 Leos roar the Udawala Jungle !

Note : This is a guest post by Leo Gaya Attygalle – thank you very much Gaya for contributing.

Leo Manula with an Elephant skull

What a fantastic time we had!!  Fifty-five Leos embarked on a trip of a lifetime to Udawalawe.  On 20^th of September our journey to Udawalawe was another early start, up at 5.30 to leave Piliyandala at 6.00 a.m – honestly, sometimes it is harder than anything on a holiday.  Our journey to Uda Walawe was quite different from the council trips we have gone before because it had taken quite a long time to reach the destination.  Nevertheless, we did not leave a minute spare –journey was crammed with Singing, Instrument playing, laughing, dancing and clapping.

Singing Singing Singing

When we got to Ingiriya we had a brief stop to have the breakfast. On the way to Udawalawe we stopped at Chadrika wewa to have a bath. Leos enjoyed a lot with the water games though the reservoir was quite muddy due to dry season.

After that, Leos had delicious buffet lunch at Wanapetha Resort and processed to National Park. Hired 4WD open-top safari jeeps were the only way to see all the wonders that this protected reserve had to offer and for our nature loving leos the jeep safari was an unforgettable experience.

On the 4WD Jeeps

Well, I’ve got a jolly easy job here, which is to list all the animals we saw during the safari.  I do like lists. We saw lots of elephants (at least seventy, some alone and some in small herds and even some tiny tickle baby elephants – aaaaahhh); some sambar, some spotted dear, some wild buffaloes and lots of birds such as blue bee-eaters, many peacocks, painted stork, egrets and so on.  At the wide-open plains of Uda Walawe we observed groups of elephants and their absorbing social interactions.

The sky full of layered clouds, which kept things, cool for us and gave us a beautiful atmospheric vista.  We stood up in the back as the jeep bounced along and scanned the undergrowth for movement.

The aim of the trip was to promote a sense of adventure, leadership, responsibility and inter Leo understanding to prepare Leos to meet challenges of the future with confidence and compassion.

Leos enjoyed every minute of the trip we headed back, exhausted yet refreshed, tired but alive.  We had made new Leo friends and new bonds.  A long journey back and the way we felt when we arrived at home reflect that we had all experienced something that is so hard to explain.  We had had a ‘trip filled with enough Happy memories – one that will stay with us for a very long time.”

All the credit goes to 306 A2 District President Leo Dumindu Jayakody and Regional Director Leo Kaneel Maddumage and Leo Club of Polgasowita, Leo Club of Matthegoda and Leo Club of Werahera for organizing this fantastic Annual trip.

Photo Credits : Leo Buddhi Naveen – Leo Club of University of Moratuwa

Leo Gaya Attygalle

Leo Club of Polgasowita.

Multiple President’s Project Wishlist

You can make my wish come true

A media workshop – Where we will give leos a change to learn how to use the media effectively. How to handle a video camera , how to take a quality photo , how to write a press release to promote leoism. This would give them valuable exposure to media

IT Workshop – Teach them about the latest trends in the Information and communication technology. Teach them how to blog ? How to start a small web site , what is twitter ?

Speech Contest – Inter Club Speech Contest / Debate contest – to develop the oratory skills of members

Public Speaking Workshop – Help the leos to grow confidence in their public speaking , tell them how to do a welcome address, introduction of a guest or vote of thanks. May be with the help of toastmasters

More and More projects for IDPs – Conduct more projects on behalf of the IDPs / resettled people of North

Netball Tournament – Who says netball is only for gals ? May be we can have mixed teams

X’mas Carrols – At district and club levels to raise funds

Leo Walk – We have to have the best possible Leo Walk this year. Any leo clubs volunteering to organize the Leo Walk , let me know.

PDP Felicitation and Leo Symposium – To felicitate all past district presidents and have a dialog with all the leos and get inputs from all the leos how to improve this movement. Any leo clubs volunteering to organize this project , let me know.

First Aid Training Program – This is going to be very useful skill to everyone and at any movement you could be a lifesaver if you know the first aid skills. (At district level)

If any leo club organize a project in the wish list let me know. You may get a small gift. 🙂

Multi Service Project – 306 C2

Last week i had the wonderful opportunity of visiting the Multiple Service Project organized by the Leo District Council 306 C2. This project was held at Wewala , Piliyandala – which his very closer to many of the leo clubs of district 306 A2.

I visited the event quite late. As i was not aware of the exact directions i got in to a three wheeler which took me a round trip. While going on the wheel i saw the nice propaganda posters pasted in the village –  “ලේ මාපිලා ඇත්තටම ලේ උරා බොනවාද ? – ඇත්ත දැනගන්න දහම් පාසලට ඉරිදා උදේ එන්න” (Is it true that Le Mapila suck blood ? Come to Sunday school on Sunday morning to know the truth) – very attractive slogans and publicity.

As i approached the Sunday school , i heard the songs being played by loudspeakers and i was warmly greeted by District President Leo Sachitra, District Vice President Leo Thasun and many other leos. I got the opportunity to be there when they opened the computer lab and unveiled the new name board of the Sunday School.

The multi service project included many other activities including a cookery demonstration by Leo Sachitra , a workshop on Snakes by Leo Thasun (snakes and cakes – how contrasting interests they have 🙂 ).  (Sad i missed these sessions). It also included a dengue eradication walk and inspection , a kite festival and a pipe water project. It also included a nutritional advisory program headed by my own leo club , leo club of Polgasowita. I should like to thank Leo Gaya Attygalle , president of Leo Club of Polgasowita , who is an expert of Food and Nutrition conducted this session.

Well done leos , this project simply explains the power of team work , what we could do together. Rather than doing single projects we could do multi service projects of this nature which would add more meaning to the lives of people around us.

On the other hand i observed that we have the opportunity of doing many projects the Pundayawardhana Sunday school where this project was held. I hope that leos of 306 A2 will take this challenge and opportunity.

Hats off to Leo Praveen Ishara who organized this wonderful event.

MDP’s first official visit

I made my first official visit to a leo club ! and i simply loved this visit.

It was to Leo Club of Moratuwa Orient of District 306 A1. Moratuwa Orient Leo club has been a familiar place to me and leos of 306 A2.  There were a strong leo club with a history of 7 years and i was working with them during the good old times of 306A.

I appreciate their recent projects – the dengue awareness program and other wonderful community service activities.

What i love about this club is the skills and the friendship of the leos. They are wonderful performers and they entertain their audiences once they get a chance.

MDP addressing the leos

On the other hand strong friendships and not having politics within the club may be strengthening them and i am sure that it’s their secret of success.

Also i would like to appreciate the guidance of veteran Leo , leo Vichalya Wijesooriya to this leo club and also the efforts by the club president Leo Dilhari and all the members of the club.

Also a word about their publicity efforts. They are maintaining a wonderful web site, blog , facebook group and a twitter account. Good publicity for the projects they’ve done. !

Well done !

HIV on the rise, what can we do ?

Just found that HIV infections in Sri Lanka are rising rapidly. As Perambara reports there is a 49% increase of HIV cases in Sri lanka during the last 6 months.

The number of HIV infected is like an Iceberg. We see only a small fraction of the real number of patients as number of infected as there at the society, unaware of the infection, and spreading it to other people.

This is an alarming situation and i think it’s the right time for the leos to raise awareness on issues like this. I have seen leos distributing leaflets , going house to house to raise awareness. So how about doing a campaign about HIV/AIDS / STD ?

Decades ago talking about sex and sexuality was taboo. HIV/AIDS patients were discriminated and cornered from society. Today the world had changed and Sri Lanka has also changed to some extent regarding the attitude towards sexual issues. It’s youth who could take the fore front on talking on the issues like this as they would be the key risk factor.

One day a leo , a girl approached me and said, there was an area where the youth were uneducated about the STDs and the rate of STD is increasing. I praise her courage to think of a project like that.

More than 1000 abortions are performed daily in Sri Lanka. What is the key factor behind the large number of abortions ? It’s lack of awareness about family planning. If we as responsible youth leaders address these issues we would be able to minimize such unfortunate happenings.

Even the education system should take some burden of this situation. As i think it’s still prohibited to teach school children about contraceptives. As students from year 9 onwards are sexually active (biologically) they should have to right to know about their body and how to care themselves.

Blaming the system or institutions will not do any good. Yet lets take ACTION. If leos could promote the ABC’s of HIV prevention that would be great. The ABC’s are

• Abstain – Do not have sex , avoid sex
• Be faithful – Be faithful to one partner
• Use a Condom – Use a condom during sex

So a person can Abstain , if they do not like abstaining they can Be faithful to one partner and they do not like that option as well 🙂 they could use a condom.

So who would take the “challenge” of organizing an HIV/AIDS awareness program ? Who would do a project on Sex education ? AIDS day is on December 1st and I hope to see leos doing projects to address this problem.

Find resources on World Aids day can be found here and here. They provide project ideas , resources , etc.

Stop Aids , Keep the Promise. !!