THE Q2BLOGGERM a i n E d i t i o n
1. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT2. MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR3. CLUB SERVICEVIBHAVARI 202513 INSTALLATION CEREMONYTHAVENUE COMMITTEE MEETUP 2025HOLIDAZE 20254. COMMUNITY SERVICEPINKTOBERCOLOURSSAHAYA 360 PHASE 1CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE 20255. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTELEVATE6. INTERNATIONAL SERVICELOKARGHOUR TRIBE OUR PRIDEKINDLE VOYAGELETTER EXCHANGES8. EDITORIALMEET THE TEAM SERIESSPECIAL DAYS SERIESFRIDAY FEELS SERIESCREATIVE CHRONICLES SERIESCAPTURED THOUGHTSCAPTURED LIGHTCO NT ENT S
MESSAGE FROMTHE PresidentAs we transition into the second quarterof our journey, I find myself looking backat the past few months with immensepride. The incredible energy I spoke of inour first edition hasn't just beenmaintained; it has evolved into a steady,powerful momentum that is defining ouryear.To serve as your President remains aprofound privilege, but seeing our visiontranslate into action during this secondquarter has been the true reward.Our mandate,\"Strive to Serve,\" has moved from a guiding principle to a livedreality. Over the last three months, I have seen \"striving\" in its purest formnot just in the success of our projects, but in the resilience our membersshow when faced with challenges. Whether it was through our communityservice initiatives or our professional development programs, the standard ofexcellence we set for ourselves in Q1 has become the baseline for everythingwe do now.Within these pages, you will find more than just a recap of our recentmilestones. You will find the heartbeat of a club that refuses to be stagnant.You will see the growth of our members, the strengthening of our bonds,and the tangible impact we are making on the communities we serve. Thisedition is a celebration of that progress a reminder that when we pushbeyond our comfort zones, the results are nothing short of extraordinary.To our readers and partners: thank you for standing by us as we turn ouraspirations into impact. To my fellow Rotaractors: the \"extra mile\" we talkedabout at the start of the year is now the path we walk every day.As we look toward the second half of our term, let us not lose sight of whywe started. Let us continue to be meticulous in our planning, heartfelt in ourexecution, and relentless in our pursuit of change. Let us continue to pushboundaries. Let us continue to inspire. Let us continue to Strive to Serve.
MESSAGE FROMTHE EditorAs Editor, it genuinely feels special toshare the second quarter edition of theRotaract Club of SLIIT Project Magazinefor 2025–26 with you.This past quarter hasn’t just been aboutprojects or events—it’s been about thelittle moments in between. The ideas thatslowly turned into action, the teamworkthat didn’t always go perfectly butsomehow still worked out, and the efforteach member put in to make somethingmeaningful.Every initiative, whether small or large, carries its own story, and together,they shape who we are as a club. This edition is a collection of those stories.Not just what we did, but how we experienced it. The learning curves, theunexpected challenges, the laughter, and the connections we built alongthe way.We’ve also added a few sections at the end highlighting the creativity andtalents within our own community because Rotaract is just as much aboutpeople as it is about projects, and those little details are what make thejourney even more meaningful.I would also like to extend a special thank you to Rtr. Amna Thanzeel, ourEditorial Committee member, for her support and effort in bringing thedesigns of this edition together.To our readers, thank you for taking the time to be part of what we do. Yoursupport means more than we often say, and it’s what quietly encourages usto keep going, keep improving, and keep creating something that trulymatters. We hope this edition makes you feel connected to this journeybecause in many ways, you’re a part of it too.
CLUB SERVICE
It’s rare to find yourself in a moment that truly feels like a scenefrom a movie. Yet, there I was on October 24th, 2026, at the 13thInstallation of the Rotaract Club of SLIIT. Standing on that stagein the grand, theatre like auditorium, my eyes drifted up to theexact seat I had occupied just a year ago as a new member.Back then, I was not only new in Rotaract. Everything wasunfamiliar, from the streets to the culture, even the air feltdifferent from the place where I was born and raised. I spent somany nights wishing I could just go back home, struggling tofind my footing in an environment that felt so foreign.But when I attended the 12th Installation ceremony as a brandnew member, the unfamiliarity I felt suddenly vanished. For thefirst time, I felt at home.11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YIn that moment, it all made sense. I realized that Allah’s planswere falling into place in ways I hadn’t understood.
If I hadn’t stepped into the unknown, I never would havediscovered Rotaract and what a shame that would have been. Iremember being completely mesmerized by the movement,glamorized by the energy, and deeply moved when the Boardof Officials 2024/25 took the stage to sing a chorus of NightChanges. It felt cinematic. Right then, my friends and I made avow: we wouldn’t just join this movement, we would be theones standing on that stage.Looking up at those seats a year later, I remember it all too well.We made it. I made it.11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YEver since the new Board of Officials for the RI year 2025-26 wasappointed, we have all been waiting for the 13th InstallationCeremony. Under the guidance of President Rtr. YasithThalakotunna and Secretary Rtr. Dulasha Annasiwatta, theproject was brought to life by our dedicated co-chairs, Rtr.Anishka Fernando and Rtr. Lelani Abeysekera.
One of the highlights was spending an entire day recording ourintroduction videos to display during the walk-ins in thebeautiful, park-like grounds of SLIIT. Each member took theirturn behind the lens of either Rtr. Muhammadhu Islah or Rtr.Karunyan Balan (I have to mention, the height differencebetween the two was comical, though thankfully it didn’t showin the final shots).While a member had their video taken, the rest of the boardwould scramble off the pathway to stay out of the frame, actingas a chaotic but dedicated group of “hype persons.”11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YThe preparations began inearly July right after theBoard of Officials wereappointed. What followedwas a marathon ofsponsorship calls, scriptdrafting, logistics and somuch more.So despite the fact thateach video shows onlyone person, there was abunch that wasrunning out of frameduring every take. Silly,I know but we justwanted to be part ofthe moment.
It was a silent but powerful symbol of solidarity remindingthose fighting that they never walk alone. Throughout theevent, it spoke louder than anything we said.Soon, the auditorium filled with the bustling and vibrantenergy of Rotaractors, parents, and guests who were all readyto witness the start of a new chapter.The event was graced by the presence of:Chief Guest Prof. Anuradha Jayakody, Head of theDepartment of Computer Systems Engineering in theFaculty of ComputingGuest of Honour Rtn. G. Kumar SithambaramPresident of the Rotary Club of Colombo South (Oursponsoring club)District Rotaract Representative Rtr. Past President NazmiMahamoodAssistant District Rotaract Representatives Rtn. Rtr. PastPresident Praneeth Madusanka and Rtr. Past PresidentYasiru Athugaldura ArachchiGuide Club Coordinator 2025-26 Rtr. Angelo PereraClub Staff Advisor Ms. Jenny KrisharaSIS president, Madhushan Dheerasooriya.11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YAs we gathered at the SLIIT MainAuditorium at 2:30 PM, each of uswas handed a beautiful pinkribbon made by Rtr. DulashaAnnasiwatta. It was pinned quietlyover our hearts as a tribute toBreast Cancer Awareness Month.
11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YRtr. Miyuni and Rtr. Mithilaunveiled the ceremonious eventfollowed by the tradition oflighting the oil lamp by thedignitaries, parents, incomingand outgoing Presidents andSecretaries, and projectchairpersons.Following this, the dignitaries took their places at the headtable, and Rtr. Kisaja Wijewardhana called the house to order.Despite hearing the familiar national anthem and Rotaractformalities during every general meeting, it truly felt differentand special on that day.Our project co-chairs, Rtr. Anishka Fernando and Rtr. LelaniAbeysekera made a heartfelt speech welcoming the crowd tothe event they worked so hard to bring to life. The outgoingSecretary Rtr. Charith Yohan presented an annual report thatwas more than just statistics. He beautifully captured a year’sworth of passion and you could feel his enthusiasm as hepresented. To match that, it was only right to showcase anostalgic video that documented the club’s remarkable journeytying a perfect bow on the previous board’s legacy.Following this, outgoing president, Rtr. Jayod Perera shared hisfinal address expressing immense gratitude for all the supporthe received to have had a memorable year of service andgrowth.
11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YThen, the energy in the room shifted as the hosts announcedthe main moment of the day. The music became ceremonious,inspiring, and loud as a sea of phones rose to record thetransition of leadership from Rtr. Jayod to Rtr. YasithThalakotunna who was handed the ceremonial collar, gavel,and charter certificate as the crowd erupted with applause.Rtr. Shenara introduced Rtr. Yasith Adithya with a beautifulspeech but before the beloved president could take the stageto address the crowd, our IT Co-Directors surprised him with amontage of his most embarrassing moments. As theauditorium erupted in laughter, Rtr. Yasith took the mic,jokingly hinting at terminating whoever was responsible beforepivoting into his vision for the year and how excited he is to leadit.
Then came the most anticipated moment we had all beenwaiting for: the introduction of the new Board of Officials. TheIT team had worked tirelessly on our intro videos, and eachmember was given the choice to chose a song that reflectedtheir soul, unless, of course, the members “helped” by assigningthem a random and funny song.With Rtr. Harithra and Rtr. Duwaragie (Outgoing PR CoDirectors) at the controls, the walk-ins were a spectacle.However, some moments just made it better. For example, Rtr.Shanjai (Vice President) treated his walk-in like a 100-meterrace, perhaps his song choice hyped him up too much becausehe just vanished from the steps and appeared on stage in theblink of an eye. Even, Rtr. Karunyan (PR Co-Director), who hasfamously long legs, actually managed to pace himself to thelength of his video.11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YHowever, none of thatcompared to the ironicmoment where no musicplayed as the Rtr. Islah (IT CoDirector) walked in. But hedidn’t need it. He was themusic, as he walked in withenough charisma to keep thecrowd cheering the entiretime.Following this eventful session, our introduction video wasplayed where each member was introduced like they were
superheroes. While we were there to record it, to see thetalented IT Co-Directors, Rtr. Zayan and Rtr. Islah work theirmagic and present the final version was mesmerising.11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YAfter words of wisdomfrom the District RotaractRepresentative and theGuest of Honour, the eventtook a turn to welcomethe entertainmentperformance.What started as a talented instrumental set turned into a boardof officials sing-along.We joined in from backstage to sing a mashup featuring manysongs but my favourite was “History” by One Direction. As a 1Dfan, singing those lyrics just a year after the passing of LiamPayne felt incredibly heavy and emotional. The crowd joined in,and for those few minutes, the auditorium felt like one bigfamily.
The event concluded with tokens ofappreciation to the dignitaries andwell wishers, followed by felicitationsfrom fellow rotaractors. Then thetalented incoming Secretary, Rtr.Dulasha Annasiwatta delivered theVote of thanks bringing the wholeevent to an end.As the curtains were pulled down, the13th Installation Ceremony of the11 33 TT HH II NN SS TTAALLLLAATT II OO NNCC EE RR EE MM OO NN YY1 3 T H I N S TALLAT I O NC E R E M O N YRotaract Club of SLIIT torched the beginning of anotherinspiring year of service.We didn’t just walk away with titles, we walked away with arenewed fire for service.Rtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26
What was supposed to be a neat, organized Avenue Meetingsomehow turned into complete chaos, but to be honest, it wasthe best kind of chaos. After waiting for a while for this day toarrive, it finally happened, and from the very start, it was clearthat it was never going to be a normal meeting.Held on the 13th of December 2025, the meeting began withavenue introductions. We got to know the different wayseveryone gets to contribute to Rotaract. Each avenue filled aspecial place in the movement.With all the inside jokes during the introductions, it felt morelike a fun welcome than a formal introduction. It wasn’t justabout learning what each avenue does, I would say that it feltlike getting a little peek into all the fun and madness thathappens behind the scenes in Rotaract.Things only got more hectic from there when we found out itwas going to be something like a battle of the avenues (theavenue with the highest points win).AAVVEE NN UU EE CC OO MM MM II TT TT EEEEMM EEEE TT UU PP 220022 55AVE N U E C O M M I T T EEM EE T U P 202 5
And no, we weren’t actually fighting, we just had to make surewe complete the given task: which was to take the most memeworthy picture possible of a fellow member (Of course, it wasgoing to get loud).Suddenly, everyone’s phone was in the air sneaking pictures,trying to capture the perfect pose or maybe meme is the betterword. Everyone either had their phones up or were hidingbehind their hands but let’s just say, nobody escaped that roomwithout becoming a sticker. It was a tough competition, butthat’s why it was so hilarious to see everyone do so much forjust one photo.AAVVEE NN UU EE CC OO MM MM II TT TT EEEEMM EEEE TT UU PP 220022 55AVE N U E C O M M I T T EEM EE T U P 202 5Then came the icebreaker, which was nothing like your usualone. We all had to write a question on a piece of paper and then
throw it across the room. Whoever picked it up, had to standup, read it out loud, and answer. Some questions were justrandom, some were funny, and some were just plain weird, butat least everyone was enjoying it. The one question that cameup multiple times was “are you gay?” and each time, its thatquestion that took us to the “why are you gay” meme and itmanaged to send the whole room into a fit of laughter.The fun didn’t stop there though. Next in the lineup: the classiccharades. While some words were guessed right away, it reallymade you wonder whether the actor was good or the guesserwas smart, with words like Stranger things, Harry Potter andphotobooth, it got everyone screaming random things, whileother words left everyone completely blank. There weremoments of pure confusion, laughter and even more shouting.After that intense round, we had a rapid-fire round withquestions about Rotaract and bonus riddles. People werejumping out of their seats, hands flying up before they evenknew the answer. The whole room was on edge, cheering andshouting anything and everything, it didn’t matter if you evenknew the answer, you just had to be the first to stand up, that’show competitive it got.In the end: Community Service, Sports, Editorial andProfessional development avenues were tied.It was all up to the deciding question: “What is the only thingthat can travel the world without a passport?” (Hint: it goes on aletter.)AAVVEE NN UU EE CC OO MM MM II TT TT EEEEMM EEEE TT UU PP 220022 55AVE N U E C O M M I T T EEM EE T U P 202 5
When only Rtr. Akeedha from the Editorial and PD team stoodup with the answer, it was already clear which avenue wasgoing to be the winner that day.But honestly, the day wasn’t really about winning at all. It wasmore about getting to know everyone better, laughingtogether, and bonding beyond our own avenues. We ended theday with a big group photo to remember the moment, and yes,the Editorial and PD team are still waiting for their promisedprize.AAVVEE NN UU EE CC OO MM MM II TT TT EEEEMM EEEE TT UU PP 220022 55AVE N U E C O M M I T T EEM EE T U P 202 5Overall, simply put, it was afun day filled with the bestkind of chaos, it was achance to actuallyexperience what goes oninside the club, to see whatmakes the Rotaract club ofSLIIT, the club that it is. Ifanything, I think thismeeting set the tone for anexciting year ahead, andsurely, there’s a lot to lookforward to.Rtr. Shamla BishirhafiEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
VVII BB HHAAVVAARR II 220022 55The 24 of October began as a chaotic blur of classes,presentations, and all things academically draining. So whenthe afternoon whooped in, the directors of our club despitebeing energy deficient dragged themselves to Diyatha UyanaPark to celebrate Vibhavari 2025, organised by the Club ServiceAvenue as a subproject of Project එකமுதுkama to renew ourenergy to the highest level possible so the next day would bean absolute blast.thVibhavari was an event to celebrate Diwali, the Festival ofLights, where we honour the victory of light over darkness,hope over despair, and joy over fatigue.Even in our tiredness, the thought of that warm, glowingatmosphere felt refreshing.Once we wrapped up our prep, we headed to the event wherethe chairpersons, Rtr. Dinuli Boteju and Rtr. LuhansaSooiyabandara and organising committee were already busysetting things up. The ride there itself was entertainment at itspeak. The first car was packed with eight people while the restof us piled up into Rtr. Anishka’s car.
VVII BB HHAAVVAARR II 220022 55This opened up the chance forplenty of side quests likeroasting Rtr. Danush over thephone as he tried to make it tothe event, and daring Rtr.Shanjai to stay silent for 10minutes. He almost succeeded ifwe ignore him furiously typinghis responses to our brilliantlycrafted questions and sighingdramatically at one point. Thechatterbox in him was fightingfor life. You could see the pain inhis eyes.The sky had been threatening rain the whole evening but asRotaractors, we always try. Only this time, nature said sike anddumped half the ocean on us halfway through our ride.At the location, our fellow rotaractors were already struggling tocreate kolam patterns (floor designs made out of coloured rice)and light up the diyas (clay lamps). They had to pause andwatch the downpour drenched them completely. Meanwhile,we…...laughed from the comfort of Rtr. Anishka’s car when weheard about it.However as we reached, the rain slowed down a bit…....mostlikely to welcome my arrival….We arrived to a beautiful scene of people from all culturescoming together dressed in traditional colours. The clay lampsshimmered making the whole place look even more magicalagainst the raindrops sliding down our windows.
VVII BB HHAAVVAARR II 220022 55We were warmly welcomed with hugs though it was only partlyaffection, since the secret agenda was to drench us too. Aftertheir half successful attempts, we joined the fun. Vibhuti(sacred ash) and kungumum (vermilion) was drawn on ourforeheads as we joined in to make the kollam patterns.We lit up the clay lampswhile playful argumentserupted about who did itbest and battles were beingfought to take aesthetic,candid pictures ofthemselves. As the flamesfought to survive the rainand the kollam patternstried its best not to scatter, there was this beautiful, festivechaos that took away all our worries, our tiredness and almostour hunger. Almost being the key word.Because while all of this is happening, there were a set ofpeople wandering around, mumbling what we all had in ourmind: Where are the sweets? When will they give them?Thankfully, the chairpersons, Rtr. Dinuli Boteju and Rtr. LuhansaSooiyabandara read the room and blessed us with delicioussweets that revived our last bit of energy. We were asked totake only one of each but Rotaractors live by the phrase“sharing is caring” so no one forgot that Rtr. Danush was yet toarrive. His bestfriend, Rtr. Yadhurshika kept two aside for himand so did many others. For a moment, Rtr. Danush suddenlybecame everyone’s best friend especially Rtr. Tharukshan.
Rtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26VVII BB HHAAVVAARR II 220022 55But by the time the thalaivar finally arrived, only Rtr.Yadhurshika still had the sweets she saved for him. As for theothers… their ‘reserved’ sweets mysteriously vanished. Puremagic. Harry Potter who?After our hunger was restoredand mocking died down, wegathered for a group picture thatwould create a digital imprint ofthis beautiful day. A kind strangertook the picture with a smile thatmatched ours and, despite thebad lighting he warned us about,the glow on our faces made thepicture glimmer regardless.A soothing end to a tiring day is something we all hope for andVibhavari 2025 gave us exactly that.
HH OO LLIIDDAA ZZ EE 220022 55On the evening of 21st December, board members gatheredaround 6:30 p.m. at Rtr. Miyuni’s home as Holidaze’25 officiallycame to life. What began as a cozy Christmas get-togetherquickly turned into a night filled with laughter, surprises, andunforgettable moments. From decorating the space andsetting up the Christmas tree to arranging a generous potluckspread, everyone contributed to creating a warm, cheerfulatmosphere that perfectly captured the magic of the season.The night kicked off with a horror movie screening Sabrina, afilm centered around a possessed doll. While some watchedbravely, others were clearly less prepared.Rtr. Kisaja, who is famously afraid of horror movies, became themain target of playful mischief when people seated in the lastrow (mostly Rtr. Yasith), was throwing a crocodile plushie athim. His startled screams echoed through the room, quicklybecoming one of the most entertaining moments of the night.Following the movie, theSecret Santa session addedanother layer of festive fun.Ironically, Rtr. Dulashareceived a doll as her gift, anamusing yet slightly eeriecoincidence given the moviethey had just watched. Justwhen the group thoughtthe surprises were over, Rtr. Jayod attempted to scare everyoneby throwing a sauce packet from upstairs. Instead, it hit the fanand exploded, splattering sauce across the living room like adramatic crime scene even reaching the white walls.
One clear sign of this was theoverwhelming amount of foodleft over, a reflection of thegenerosity and abundancethat defined the evening.Rather than letting it go towaste, the remaining food wascarefully packed, and the lastfew members heading homewere happily sent off withparcels in hand. Ignore thepicture quality but now youknow where the food went..HH OO LLIIDDAA ZZ EE 220022 55As the night continued, an unexpected plumbing issue addedto the chaos, with the engineering boys doing their best to fixit, though not entirely successfully. Yet, despite the messes andmishaps, the Christmas spirit never faded.More than just a celebration, Holidaze’25 was a reminder thatthe true spirit of Christmas lies not in perfection, but intogetherness, generosity, and finding joy even when thingsdon’t go exactly as planned.Amid the scares, spills, and surprises, the night successfullyrekindled the warmth of the season leaving everyone with fullhearts, shared memories, and stories that will be laughed aboutfor years to come.Rtr. Chanithi KoralaEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
COMMUNITY SERVICE
PPII NN KK TT OO BB EE RRBreast cancer affects millions of lives across the world, oftenquietly and unexpectedly. While medical advances continue toimprove outcomes, early detection and awareness remainamong the most powerful tools in saving lives.Creating safe spaces forconversation, education, andsupport is essential inensuring that no one facesthis journey alone.Pinktober 2025, conducted aspart of the Rotary PinkPledge, was a meaningfulinitiative by the Rotaract Clubof SLIIT dedicated to raisingawareness about breastThe campaign was carefullydesigned to engage SLIITstudents and staff, Rotaractors,and the wider communitythrough visible and interactiveefforts. One of the keyhighlights was Pink Fridays,where participants wore pinknot just as a symbol, but as aquiet statement of solidarityand care.cancer, encouraging early detection and nurturing a culture ofempathy and support within the community.TURNING AWARENESS INTO ACTION
Alongside this, peer-to-peer conversations and an active socialmedia presence helped share educational content, survivorstories, and messages of encouragement.The impact of Pinktober extended beyond visibility. Theinitiative helped break silence around breast health,encouraged individuals to learn self-check practices, andreminded many of the importance of regular screenings. Eachinteraction, post, and shared moment contributed to a growingsense of awareness and responsibility within the community.For Rotaractors, Pinktober was also a journey of leadership andpurpose.PPII NN KK TT OO BB EE RRTURNING AWARENESS INTO ACTION
Rtr. Chanithi KoralaEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26PPII NN KK TT OO BB EE RRTURNING AWARENESS INTO ACTIONTaking ownership of planning and outreach allowed them todevelop confidence, communication skills, and a deeperunderstanding of community service. Most importantly, itreinforced the idea that small, consistent actions can lead tomeaningful change.Pinktober 2025 left a lasting impression by strengtheningawareness, fostering compassion, and reinforcing the beliefthat informed communities save lives. The initiative continuesto inspire ongoing conversations and future efforts in healthadvocacy.
CC OO LL OO UU RR SSWHERE ART MEETS HEALTHIn the tornado of deadlines, exams and the silent pressure toperform well, our mental well-being is often pushed into acloset. That’s why, the Community Service Avenue camethrough the storm beaming with light to launch “Colours,” aninitiative that is designed to pull students away from the chaosand reconnect them with a piece of their childhood: thehealing power of art.On the 14th of November 2025, Room F1402 of the SLIIT NewBuilding was transformed into a canvas. It became a spacewhere forty four participants picked up their brushes andcrayons to use creativity as a form of therapy.This initiative brought the slogan “Where Art Meets Health,” tolife. It aimed to address both the mind and the spirit throughtwo sessions.The first session was led by Ms. Sachini Pathiraja, a ClinicalPsychologist at SLIIT. She started by focusing on de-mystifyingmental health. In our culture, seeking help can sometimes beviewed with hesitation so Ms. Pathiraja openly rebranded it assomething proactive and positive.
CC OO LL OO UU RR SSWHERE ART MEETS HEALTHFollowing that enlighteningconversation, Dr. AvanthiJayasinghe, an experiencedart therapist dived into ahands-on experience whereparticipants wereencouraged to let theiremotions bleed onto thepaper using acrylics, pastels,and textures. This sessionShe also coached the participants on how to identify the whybehind their feelings and how they can manage stress. It was asession where everyone felt seen, understood and empowered.made one thing clear: sometimes art does speak louder thanwords.Looking at the artworks around the room would have taken youon a journey of academic pressure, exhaustion, hopes,dreams….whatever the participants wanted to say was left onthat piece of paper.
CC OO LL OO UU RR SSWHERE ART MEETS HEALTHIt also made us discover some paintings that depicted whythose individuals desperately needed this session. For example,the fellow who painted his sky in purple and grass in black. Twotakeaways: his wisdom about how imagination is not bound byreality and the fact that he needs serious help.Then there was this engineering student whose mind is sowired into engineering, all he could express were cosine curves.I wont name names...(Diabolical but art is art so bravo!)“Colours” wasn’t just a local event, it was a contribution to aglobal movement that showed what happens when weprioritise empathy.It showed that university culture doesn’t have to be defined bystress when the community comes together to collectivelyrecognise the importance of mindfulness and the courage toexpress oneself.
CC OO LL OO UU RR SSWHERE ART MEETS HEALTHTo all the participants and the dedicated organizing team:thank you for proving that sometimes, the best way to heal themind is to pick up a brush.Rtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26
SSAAHHAAYYAA 33 6600:: PP HHAASSEE 11EMPATHY WITHOUT BORDERSIn late November 2025, the skies over Sri Lanka turned a heavy,relentless grey. Cyclone Ditwah didn’t just bring rain; it broughta paralyzing uncertainty. As floodwaters severed main supplyroutes and inundated entire suburbs, the Rotaract Club of SLIITstepped into the void.This mission was initiated by the Community Service Director,Rtr. Chanudi Amaratunga, who presented an urgent proposalfor immediate relief. Recognizing the sheer scale of thedisaster, the project quickly evolved from a club initiative into auniversity-wide movement when Secretary Rtr. DulashaAnnasiwatta proposed a strategic collaboration with theStudent Interactive Society (SIS) led by MadushanDheerasooriya, a motion instantly approved by President Rtr.Yasith Adithya.Together, they transformed the university’s spirit of service intoa mobilized frontline response force, with the Rotaract Clubtaking the lead to oversee complex logistics, procurement, and
SSAAHHAAYYAA 33 6600:: PP HHAASSEE 11EMPATHY WITHOUT BORDERSand external communications, while the SIS took over themassive task of volunteer mobilization and unifying the variousfaculty student communities.Sahaya 360 roared into life with Phase 1: Immediate Response &Stabilization, a high-intensity operation where every secondcounted. With the cyclone still raging, the mission began not ina boardroom, but in the living rooms of our OrganizingCommittee members.Because the routes to the SLIITcampus were completelysubmerged, we launched adecentralized \"Home-Base\"collection drive on November29th, turning personalresidences into emergencydrop-off points to bypass theflooded infrastructure.
SSAAHHAAYYAA 33 6600:: PP HHAASSEE 11EMPATHY WITHOUT BORDERSAs the waters receded slightly on November 30th, thesescattered resources were consolidated at the university,officially establishing SLIIT as our Command Hub. From thiscentral engine, the success of Phase 1 unfolded rapidly: we firstsecured our own university community by delivering food andwater to stranded SLIIT and CINEC students, then expandedour reach to the Panagoda Army Camp and Kotalawala MahaVidyalaya. The operation finally peaked with a massive interdistrict deployment to the Hill Country, reaching Kandy,Nawalapitiya, and Gampola. By the time Phase 1 concluded onDecember 9th, we hadn’t just delivered supplies; we hadsuccessfully stabilized hundreds of lives during the mostdesperate window of the disaster.Sahaya 360 was more than just alogistical triumph; it was a profounddemonstration of empathy in action.By evolving from a decentralized“home-based” collection into asophisticated inter-districtoperation, the project proved that aunified student body is a formidableforce for national resilience. Wedidn’t just deliver boxes; wedelivered a sense of security anddignity during a time of absolutechaos. Ultimately, the success ofPhase 1 served as a powerful
SSAAHHAAYYAA 33 6600:: PP HHAASSEE 11EMPATHY WITHOUT BORDERSreminder that when youth leadership and community spiritalign, even the most devastating storms cannot stand in theway of meaningful change.As we conclude Phase 1, our hearts are already set on Phase 2,where we begin the long-term journey of restoring educationalsanctuaries for the children affected by the storm.Rtr. Hafsa RifaiEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
CC HH RR II SS TT MM AASS FF OO RREEVVEE RRYY OO NN EE 202 5C H R I S T M AS F O REVE RY O N E 202 5Spreading warmth where it matters most!For many, Christmas is a season of celebration, filled withlaughter, shared meals, and the comfort of loved ones. Yet forthe children at the Indira Cancer Trust, Maharagama, thefestive season often unfolds differently, surrounded by hospitalrooms, treatments, and long days far from home.This contrast is what gave life to “Christmas For Everyone,” ameaningful community service initiative by the Rotaract Clubof Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). Theproject was created with one purpose: to remind these younghearts that they are seen, cherished, and never alone.More than a charitable effort, this initiative was about humanconnection.
CC HH RR II SS TT MM AASS FF OO RREEVVEE RRYY OO NN EE 202 5C H R I S T M AS F O REVE RY O N E 202 5Guided by Project Chairs, Rtr. Mihijith Panagoda and Rtr. YasiruRashmin, the organizing committee shared a core beliefpresence outweighs presents and moment shared hold thegreatest value. They strived to make each and every child feelincluded in the festivities, especially in a time that might beconsidered bleak.Preparing With HeartWell before the visit, the Christmas spirit had already found itsway onto the SLIIT campus. Carols were practiced withenthusiasm by Rtr. Mihijith, Rtr. Yasiru, and committedcommittee members, all eager to carry joy beyond the campuswalls.What made the preparations even more meaningful was thegift-making process. Each present was carefully handcraftedand wrapped by the committee itself. No ordinary gifts butevery present here reflects time, care, and genuinecompassion.
CC HH RR II SS TT MM AASS FF OO RREEVVEE RRYY OO NN EE 202 5C H R I S T M AS F O REVE RY O N E 202 5A Christmas That Felt RealOn the day of the visit,circumstances requiredflexibility, but the spirit of theteam never wavered.Adapting with ease, theRotaractors transformed thespace with music, laughter,and warmth. Festive songsfilled the halls, gamessparked uncontrollablegiggles, and Christmas trulycame alive when Santa,portrayed by Rtr. Sidhurshan Ravikumar made his cheerfulentrance.For a few treasured hours, the hospital environment felt lighter.Joy replaced worry, smiles replaced silence, and the trueessence of service was felt by everyone present.
CC HH RR II SS TT MM AASS FF OO RREEVVEE RRYY OO NN EE 202 5C H R I S T M AS F O REVE RY O N E 202 5The Hands Behind the MagicThe success of the day was driven by a dedicated team workingboth behind the scenes and on the ground. Specialappreciation is extended to:Rtr. Gayani Ekanayake – Gift creation & game coordinationRtr. Manindi Basnayaka – Gift preparation &announcementsRtr. Kavindya Prabudhini, Rtr. Chathurika Dewmini, Rtr.Wihansee Nilothma – Singing & gift preparationRtr. Thiviyan Sundaralingam – Game coordinationEach of the Rotaractors contributing with their own strengthsproved the effectiveness of teamwork when led bythoughtfulness.Echoes That LastedDespite the blissfulminutes and thoughtfulgifts bestowed upon thechildren, somethingdeeper accompanied theRotaractors. Witnessingcourage, resilience, andjoy in the face of adversityreaffirmed the purpose of service.This initiative aligned directly with SDG 3 – Good Health andWell-Being and caters to emotional and mental well-being;additionally, it addresses inclusion and compassion: values thatstand at the heart of Rotary.
CC HH RR II SS TT MM AASS FF OO RREEVVEE RRYY OO NN EE 202 5C H R I S T M AS F O REVE RY O N E 202 5The True Meaning of GivingChristmas For Everyone was never measured in numbers ordonations. Its success was reflected in smiles shared, laughterexchanged, and the understanding that even a single day of joycan leave a lasting imprint.And perhaps, that is the greatest gift Christmas can offer.Rtr. Divoni ChandramohanEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT
EELLEEVVAATT EE:: PP HHAASSEE 0022Project Elevate’s Phase 02, Persona Stride, took place onOctober 5 via Google Meet, and from the moment the sessionbegan, we were taken on an extraordinary journey into whatleadership truly means.thThe project began with an introduction by Rtr. Miyuni DeAlmeida - Professional Development Co-director, for whatElevate was and of course, for our esteemed speaker for thesession, Mr. Prasanna De Almeida. Having worked as a trainerwith over 20 years of experience and as a manager currently atAlmarai, and with a genuine passion for Dr. Stephen Covey’swork, Mr. De Almeida expertly guided us through the session,which brought insight, energy, and a surprising amount of selfreflection.He opened by transporting us into the world from which “The 7Habits of Highly Effective People,” was born, a time when lifewas slower, people were more connected, and values likeloyalty, integrity, and honesty formed the core of who you were.OLD HABITS OUT, NEW LEADERS IN!((PPEE RR SS OO NNAA SS TT RR IIDDEE))
EELLEEVVAATT EE:: PP HHAASSEE 0022The contrast to today’s hyper-digital world made his point evenclearer: It’s easy to project a polished personality now, butcharacter is what carries you when life gets real. A muchneeded reality check if you ask me.One of the standout parts of the session was the exploration ofparadigm shifts. When he asked,“What kind of glasses are youwearing when you see the world?” It was definitely one of thosemoments when you felt like you needed to take a moment andtruly think about it – a pause, if you will. And lucky for us, weweren’t just hearing about perspective, we were experiencingit. His message was simple but powerful: Change is inevitable,but the hardest part is changing yourself to meet the change.As we moved into the habits, things just went uphill from thereand kept going.Habit 1: Being proactive, wasn’t just explained. It was broughtto life through stories, humour, and practical advice. Fromdiscussing the power of our responses to showing how easilyour emotions can take over, he reminded us that proactivity is askill anyone can develop. Mr. De Almeida continuouslyempowered us to think that the idea of keeping smallcommitments for 25 days felt like a challenge worth accepting,and choosing one frustrating problem to tackle from our “circleof influence” made the concept feel real and actionable.Then came Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind, and this onesparked a moment of collective realization. When he askedwhether we actually do this, the silence said everything.OLD HABITS OUT, NEW LEADERS IN!((PPEE RR SS OO NNAA SS TT RR IIDDEE))
EELLEEVVAATT EE:: PP HHAASSEE 0022Most of us move through life without a clear destination inmind, and he made us see how much that affects our choices.His reminder that everything is created twice, first in the mind,then in real life, encouraged us to think about who we want tobecome, not just what we want to do. And this led to teachingus the importance of building personal mission statements, sothat we stay grounded and realistic.Throughout the session, there were so many moments thatmade it special. The jokes about living on Mars if we weren’tkeeping up, the relatable stories, the gentle nudges towardself-awareness, they made the session memorable, and it feltclose to home, because which parent hasn’t stressed on it atsome point in our lives, and we just continued to ignore it –well, never again.Although time didn’t allow us to move into the third habit, thesession was rich enough that no one felt it lacked anything.Rtr. Suvasthiga Suveendran, the Professional Development Codirector, closed the session with warm thanks, leaving us allwith a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.Elevate lived up to its name by not just teaching us aboutleadership, but helping us see ourselves and our potential alittle more clearly.OLD HABITS OUT, NEW LEADERS IN!((PPEE RR SS OO NNAA SS TT RR IIDDEE))Rtr. SaviniYasanayakeEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
INTERNATIONALSERVICE
LL OO KKAARRGGHHBRIDGING THE GAP TOWARDS ANCESTRAL ROOTSSri Lanka, our motherland also called the pearl of the Indianocean is known for its exquisite culture and history worldwide.India being our neighbor, our country has had almost abrotherly relationship with them throughout history.Lokaragh is one such collaborative event which creates a digitalbridge between the cultures.On the evening of November 22 2025, as the clock struck 8.00pm the oceanic borders faded away as over 20 Rotaractorsgathered via Google meet for Lokaragh. This was aninternational cultural exchange initiative which was muchmore than a meeting but a journey back to our roots.ndLokaragh was hosted by Rotaract club of SLIIT in collaborationwith the Rotaract club of Ashoka Artisans and Rotaract club ofIndore Activists. This project was formed by the powerfulrealization that in our fast paced modern world the stories ofour ancestors are almost unheard of.
LL OO KKAARRGGHHBRIDGING THE GAP TOWARDS ANCESTRAL ROOTSWhy is this important?Youth today are global citizens. Yet most of us have forgotten orlack the knowledge of our indigenous culture that have shapedour lives throughout history. This initiative was organized withthe hope of bridging this gap to create a platform to celebrateand understand the tribal culture and foster a cross-borderunderstanding.This session focused on two distinct but fascinatingcommunities, The Wanniyalaeto tribe of Sri Lanka and TheKorku tribe in India.This session highlighted a vibrant history, lifestyles, crafts,rituals, languages, beliefs and their evolution over time. Duringthe session, Rotaract club of SLIIT presented in-depthexplanation of our Wanniyalaeto people who have a deepunbreakable bond with nature which is rooted in every aspectof their lives. How their craftsmanship and spiritual beliefsworked. We also highlighted the challenges faced by them innavigating the modern era while preserving their culture.
LL OO KKAARRGGHHBRIDGING THE GAP TOWARDS ANCESTRAL ROOTSMeanwhile our partnering clubs presented in-depthexploration into the fascinating history of the Korku tribeemphasizing their rich culture, traditional attire, food andcrafts. They also stated how the Korku community has deepgeographical roots and how their life is community centric andhow they have evolved over time in their lifestyles.Through structured presentation, the Rotaract club of SLIITtook us on a journey to the deep forest conversing how ourWanniyalaeto people harmonize with the environment whileour partners painted a vivid picture of the Korku community ontheir vibrant crafts and rhythmic patterns of daily lives.Lokaragh isn’t just a history lesson. It was a conversation wherethey asked questions and shared experience which allowedmembers to compare the similarities, celebrate the richdiversity of the South Asian culture and also to reflect on theimportance of preserving the beauty of dying languages andrituals.
LL OO KKAARRGGHHBRIDGING THE GAP TOWARDS ANCESTRAL ROOTSLooking ahead, the success of Lokaragh has left us with morethan just facts. It has left us with a renewed enthusiasm forinternational collaborations. By the end of the night, 15+Rotaractors from both the nations walked away with newfound friendships and a deep respect for indigenous identitiesthat define us.The flames of Lokaragh burns bright shedding light on thepath ahead but also remind us that to know where we go wemust understand where we came from.Rtr. Erandi SandunikaEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26