As the world continue to move forward and people becomeincreasingly connected across borders and cultures, it is onlyright that we take a moment to reflect on the diversity that thisvery movement brings about.Recognising traditions of communities and understandingthem is not only an act of respect but also a way of buildingmeaningful connections that last beyond borders. This wasexactly what “Our Tribe Our Pride” was about, an interactiveonline session designed not only to showcase the culturalrepresentations of different nations, but also to go a stepfurther by appreciating the unique histories, traditions, andpractices that shape each community.The project was successfully conducted on 23rd November2025 via Google Meet at 8.00 p.m. (IST), bringing togethernearly 40 participants from all collaborating clubs.OO UU RR TT RR II BB EEOO UU RR PP RR IIDDEEO U R T R I B EO U R P R IDE
The session began with the Rotaract Club of IEHE (RID 3040),India presented on the theme “Our Tribe Our Pride”. Theirpresentation offered participants a deeper understanding ofthe cultural identity, traditional practices and heritage ofprominent indigenous communities in the Bhopal region,particularly the Gond and Korku tribes. The presentationexplored their historical significance, unique lifestyles, andvaluable contributions to India’s rich and diverse culturallandscape.Continuing on this cultural journey, the Rotaract Club of SLIITtook the participants across Sri Lanka, often referred to as the“Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, and “Island of Wonders.” Thepresentation explored the indigenous roots through theVeddas (Wanniyala-Aetto), offering a glimpse into theirlifestyles, beliefs and traditions. t also highlighted Sri Lanka’sbroader cultural diversity including Sinhala, Tamil, and Burgherheritages.OO UU RR TT RR II BB EEOO UU RR PP RR IIDDEEO U R T R I B EO U R P R IDE
From iconic landmarks like Sigiriya Rock and the Temple of theTooth to beloved dishes such as Rice & Curry, Hoppers, andLamprais, the session highlighted the key elements of SriLanka’s cultural identity.Later in the session, the Rotaract Club of Manila Metro (RID3810), Philippines, joined the collaboration to share the uniqueaspects of Filipino culture. Their presentation highlightedindigenous traditions, vibrant festivals, local cuisine, andcommunity practices, offering participants a deeperunderstanding of the Philippines’ cultural identity. Thissegment added another meaningful dimension to the culturalexchange, further enriching the overall experience for everyonepresent.Sharing cultures is not just about exploring traditions rather itallows us to appreciate the heritage and stories that havecarried them.OO UU RR TT RR II BB EEOO UU RR PP RR IIDDEEO U R T R I B EO U R P R IDERtr. Shamla BishirhafiEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
KK II NNDDLLEE VVOO YYAAGGEEA JOURNEY WHERE LEARNING CROSSED BORDERSWhat if education didn’t stop at borders? What if a simplenotebook could travel miles to reach a child who needed itmost?Kindle Voyage was born from that very belief. Initiated by theRotaract Club of SLIIT (RID 3220), this international serviceinitiative was a journey of hope, friendship, and action. Overthree meaningful phases, young leaders came together tosupport underprivileged students, spark cross-borderconnections, and show that when youth lead with purpose,borders simply disappear.Phase 01- Where the journey found its purposeIt marked the official beginning of kindle voyage which washeld on 24th November 2025 and set a strong foundation forthe intiative. The first stop was Shri Shivramji Kamnapure Jr.College & High School in Nagpur, India. In a single classroom, agroup of students sat quietly, their eyes filled with hope andanticipation. For many of them, learning had always come with
KK II NNDDLLEE VVOO YYAAGGEEA JOURNEY WHERE LEARNING CROSSED BORDERSlimitations, not because of a lack ofability, but because of a lack ofresources. A missing notebook here.A shared pen there. mall things,with big consequences. That day,Kindle Voyage found its footing. Aspart of this initiative, InternationalService Co-Director, Rtr. HeshanyaWijedasa travelled to Nagpur, India.In partnership with theRotaract Club ofYeshwantrao ChavanCollege of Engineering(YCCE) (RID 3030), theRotaract Club of SLIITcarefully planned, packed,and delivered stationery tothese young learners.That day, the classroom wasn’t just filled with books, it wasbuzzing with excitement. Smiles lit up faces, conversationsPhase 02 – When service turned into stories.If Phase One gave Kindle Voyage its purpose, Phase Two gave ita soul. On 20th December 2025, our team arrived in Chennai,India, ready to blend service with culture and fellowship. Frombreakfast conversations to walks past iconic landmarks likeValluvar Kottam and Fort St. George, every moment builtmemories.
KK II NNDDLLEE VVOO YYAAGGEEA JOURNEY WHERE LEARNING CROSSED BORDERSTime was spent laughing, playing games, and sharing smalljoys that made a big difference. Letterhead exchanges, gifts,and cultural immersion strengthened bonds between theRotaract Club of Akash (RID 3233), Rotaract club of MadrasSchool of Social Work (MSSW) (RID 3233), and Rotaract Club ofSLIIT (RID 3220).As evening arrived, the journey paused inside a beautifullyrecreated 1960s movie set, reminding everyone that stories,past and present, shape who we become.Phase 03 : Where the Voyage Grew WingsThe final chapter took us beyond India, to Bali, Indonesia, on24th December 2025. At SD Negeri 3 Banyuning School,children aged six to ten welcomed us with bright smiles andcurious minds. With International Service Co-Director, Rtr.Senadi Gamage leading the initiative on the ground in Bali,turning plans into meaningful action. We created interactiveEnglish sessions, educational games, and cultural exchanges.Stationery, storybooks, and water bottles weren’t just gifts,At MSSW, the heart of the dayunfolded. ProfessionalDevelopment Co-Director, Rtr.Suvasthiga Suveendran ledthe coordination, ensuringdonations of sanitary padsand personal care itemsreached young girls undereighteen.
they were symbols of encouragement, care, and belief in everychild’s potential.That day wasn’t just about giving, it was about learning,growing, and inspiring. In partnership with the Rotaract Club ofBali Buleleng Sakthi (RID 3420), moments of fellowship,traditional food sharing, and formal exchanges strengthenedcross-border connections. This chapter didn’t need many words.Its meaning was already clear.Kindle Voyage was never meant to be a checklist or a one-timeact. It was designed as a living journey: one that changeseveryone it touches, even slightly.KK II NNDDLLEE VVOO YYAAGGEEA JOURNEY WHERE LEARNING CROSSED BORDERSRtr. Divoni ChandramohanEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
Some connections begin with a conversation. Ours begin witha letterhead.Throughout the months of October, November, and Decemberof RI 25.26, our International Services Avenue continued toreach beyond borders, building friendships that exist not juston paper but in our thoughts as well. Each exchange carriedwith it a shared understanding...that service is stronger when itis intertwined.These months were not simply about documentation. Theywere about representation and about placing our club’sidentity into international conversations and welcoming othersinto ours. Each letterhead marked a handshake across borders,a quiet but powerful reminder that service does not stop atgeography.Looking ahead, we remain committed to broadening ourinternational footprint and nurturing the bonds we haveestablished. Each exchange lays the groundwork for impactfulcollaborations, cultural understanding, and a shared vision ofservice that transcends borders.Month of OctoberRotaract Club of Rudramati (RID 3292)Rotaract Club of Chennai Legends (RID 3234)Month of NovemberRotaract Club of Bharuch (RID 3060)Rotaract Club of SRM Easwari Engineering College (RID 3234)LLEE TT TT EE RR HH EEAADDEEXX CC HHAANNGGEESSLE T T E R H EADEX C HANGES
Rotaract Club of Delhi Rajdhani (RID 3011)Rotaract Club of Bengaluru Avyanna (RID 3191)Rotaract Club of GCOEN (RID 3030)Rotaract Club of YCCE (Physical) (RID 3030)Rotaract Club of Wodiyamado (RID 9212)Month of DecemberRotaract Club of IEHE Bhopal (RID 3240)Rotaract Club of Anand Institute of Higher Technology (RID3233)Rotaract Club of University of Cape Coast (RID 9104)Rotaract Club of Akash (Physical) (RID 3233)Rotaract Club of Bali Buleleng Sakti (Physical) (RID 3420)Rotaract Club of Madras School of Social Work (Physical) (RID3233)LLEE TT TT EE RR HH EEAADDEEXX CC HHAANNGGEESSLE T T E R H EADEX C HANGESRtr. Kavya ThotawatteEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
EDITORIAL
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESStillwaitingforthegirlfriendseasontoair-it’sbeenlongdelayed.Onceyoupayforhispremiumsubscription,youunlockhishumour-andthere’snorefundorescape.He’sthekindofguywho’llholdadooropenandfixyourcodeatthesametime.Hisgo-tolook?Whitet-shirt,laptopinonehand,foodintheother-peakNadunenergy.Anacademicgenius,corporatehighflyer,andhumourmachine.Hemightseemannoyingatfirst,butgiveittimehe’soneofthekindestpeopleyou’llmeet.Heneverwastesasinglebite-foodissacredtohim.Hecarrieshislaptoplikeit’spartofhim.CALMMIND,KINDHEART,LOGICALSOUL.RTR.NADUNWEERAKKODYDRIECTOR-MEMBERSHIPDEVELOPMENT25.26Calm,logical,andgrounded-hehandlesconflictwithquietconfidence.Rtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26TheunintentionalchauffeurTrustworthyyoucantellhimyourfamilyhistory;he’llkeepittothegrave.Quietpersonthatkeepstohimself…untilthestickerattackhits.Pissu@%#&’onhislipswhetherjokingorserious.Heneverjustarrives;hemakesagrandentrance.He’dwiniftherewasacompetitionforthecalmestpersonintheworld.He’snotjustaperformerinmusic,butinlifetooHe’salsosoapproachablebecausehehasagiftforcreatingacomfortablespaceforeveryone.SERIALSTICKERMAKERRTR.MINUPAKANNAHERAARACHCHIc0-DRIECTOR-SPORTSANDRECREATIONALACTIVITIES252.6Braceletcollectionrivalshiscalmness.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Regardlessofhowbigtheproblemis,hewillactivelylistenandhelpyoudealwithit.MaybeitwillcostyouaMasalachai,butthat’saworthwhilebargain.Aguywithimpeccablestyleandtheonewhoflipshishairamilliontimes.Atrue‘mama’sboy’- acallfromhismothermakeshisentireday.Ifyouseehimbyhimself,he’sjustenjoyingsome‘metime’soletthe“banda”be.Livesby:‘Spendtimebyyourselfandbecomefinanciallyandemotionallyindependent.Dealswithfearsoffailurebydoingwhathelovessports,music,trustedconfidants.Lovesbeingaroundpeople,butenjoyssolitudetoo-some‘metime’issacred.GURUOFEMOTIONSRTR.THARUKSHANSIVAKUMARc0-DRIECTOR-SPORTSANDRECREATIONALACTIVITIES252.6Whenyoufirstmeethim,you’llnoticehisauthenticityfromtheget-go.Heputshimselffirst…sohecanbettercareforothers.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Wheneverhe’sgiventhetaskofcreatingart- thatishishappyplace.Hisabilitytomultitaskandgivehisabsolutebestineverypartofhislifeistrulyamysterytobesolved.Heclaimstobeapenguin—biggestcriticof‘tryandtry,onedayyoucanfly’.Calm,composed…butheadsoverheelsintheoverthinkingdepartment.He’dratherdoithimself -notcontrolfreak,justdetail-obsessed.Hisdream:buildsomethingmeaningfulintechthatreflectshisessence.Hemightprefertobebyhimself,butwhenhedoesconnectwithyou,hedoessowithadepthandkindnessthatisveryrare.Editingaposterinacarparklaptopinonehand,creativityintheother.BAKAGUYRTR.ZAYANMOHAMEDCO-DIRECTORINFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY25.26Marriedtohisbikeandlaptop-his‘firstandsecondwives’Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Meethimonce,andyou’llfeellikeyou’veknownhimforever.He’sgotyoungest-childenergy-alwaysrunninghomeonweekendstohelphismom(andsneakinagoodmeal).Hislaughterisunstoppableespeciallywhenit’sleastappropriate.Coding,editing,designing-hewearsmanyhats,andsomehow,allofthemfitperfectly.He’sthatraremixofwittyandwisejokesoneminute,deepthoughtsthenext.Whenhe’saround,you’lleitherbelaughinguncontrollablyorlearningsomethingnew-sometimesboth.HE’SAWHOLECHARACTER.RTR.MUHAMMADHUISLAHCO-DIRECTORINFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY25.26Here,there,gone-blinkonceandhe’salreadysomewherenew.He’ssomeonewhocarriesaconfidentaurathatevensocialanxietyisprobablyscaredofhim.He’sanobservantandopenmindedperson.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26He’sthekindofpersonwhocanliftyou-literallyandemotionally.Hehasaknackforturningordinarythingsintoinsidejokesthatlastforever.Ifthere’saviralstickerormemecirculating,chancesarehemadeit.He’stallenoughtospottroublefromamileaway-andkindenoughtohelpfixit.Hisquietconfidencesayswhatwordsdon’t.Foraguywhohastoducktoentermostrooms,abikeisoneofthefewthingsthatseemsperfectlydesignedforhim.Ifconsistencyhadaface,it’dbeKarunyan-tall,composed,andalwaysinframe.Reliableisanunderstatement-ifhe’sincharge,considerithandled.RTR.KARUNYANBALANCO-DIRECTORPUBLICRELATIONS25.26SELFIESTICKHedoesn’tjustmakememes;heisone-living,breathing,andtrending.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26He’snotafraidtostandforthetruth,evenwhenit’suncomfortable.Americanoinhand,headphoneson,andpeaceinmind-that’sManith.Heconnectswithpeopleeffortlesslynotbecausehetries,butbecausehecares.Hemayseemeasygoing,butbehindthatsmileisamanofdeepdiscipline.Helistensreallylistensbeforehespeaks.Hewelcomeseveryonewithopenarms-thetypeofpersonwhomakesyoufeelsafeinstantly.Whetherit’sTWICEortruth,hestandsbywhatheloves.Calminchaos,chillindramayoucan’tthrowhimoffhisbalance.RTR.MANITHFERNANDOCO-DIRECTORPUBLICRELATIONS25.26HE’STHEEMBODIMENTOF“WELISTENANDWEDON’TJUDGE”.‘Socialmediaisfakestaygrounded,’ishissilentmantra.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Sheoverthinks,butthat’swhatmakesherthoughtful—shefeelsdeeplybeforesheacts.Ifyougetleftonread,don’tworrysheprobablyrepliedinherhead.You’llspothercamerafirst,butit’sherenergyyou’llremember.OneDirectiononhertotebag,directioninherpurpose—that’sRana.Oneofthekindestpeopleyou’llevermeet…alwayswishingthebestforthosearoundher.She’slivingproofthatsoftdoesn’tmeanweak-itmeanssteady,sincere,andstrong.Shehasthisraregift:turningordinarymomentsintosomethingunforgettable.RTR.RANARILWANGIRLSGIRLEDITOR25.26Sky-chaser,dreamkeeper,andthestorytellerbehindthelens.Herlaugh?Contagious.Hervibe?Puresunshine.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Ifyouaskhertodance,don’tevenlistentoherbrief,‘Ayoo,Ican’t,’becauseshewillexecuteanydancesteplikeit’srunningthroughherveins.Youwanttowinherover?BUYHERACHCHARU.Maybe,addsomeJumkaearringstothemixFromthemomentyouspother,youwillinstantlygetthevibethatSuvasthigaisatotalpeopleperson.You’llhearherbeforeyouseeherthatsignature‘Ayoohkadawaleeee!’laughechoeseverywhere.Shecompletesside-questslikeshe’splayingagameofAmongUs.Shewillchatterboxherwayintomakingyoucompletelycomfortabletodropyourlifestory.Shebalanceschaoswithcalm,passionwithprecision-andstillshines.Herfriendssayshe’sloud.Thetruth?She’sjustfulloflife.ITGIRLRTR.SUVASTHIGASUVEENDRANc0-DIRECTOR-PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT25.26Sheisundeniablyoneofthefriendliestandsweetestsoulsyouwillevermeet.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Organizationishersecretweapon—tasksinGoogleCalendar,remindersinWhatsApp,evenplanninghersleep.Theyassumethingscomeeasytoherbuteverythingsheachievesistheresultofhardwork.Sheisaqueenwhoholdsfirmstandardsandknowsherworth,sodon’teventrytomesswithherbecauseyoucan’twin.Shehandleschaoswithgraceandcomposurewheneverythingelseisfallingapart.She’sanabsoluteforceofnature.Shelightsupanyroomsheenters.Likeliterally!Whenevershegetstheopportunity,she’llbesingingsongs,gossiping,andsayinghermostconstantphrase:“Yeahhdudee!”Whethershe’sjugglingwork,responsibilities,family,orfriends,shedoesn’tjustdoitall,shedoesittoaT.RTR.MIYUNIDEALMEIDAEverythingMiyuniachievesisadirectresultofhergivingherabsolutebest.c0-DIRECTOR-PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT25.26SUPERWOMANShe’ssomeonewhoseemstohaveaninfinitecapacityforkindness,towardseveryone.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Queenofoverthinking…constantlyrunningscenariosinherhead,yetremainingcalmandfindingasolution.Withhercalmandgentlevoice,youwillalwaysfeellovedandcaredfor.She’sthekindofpersonwhomakesbigthingshappenwithagentletouch.Shecollectsexperienceslikeinfinitystones.Ifthereisanythingthatshelovesmorethanhernaps,it’shermom’scaramelpudding.She’sthekindthatgivesfoodtostrangersandneverpassesupachancetofeedadog.Youwillfindaloyalandhonestsoulwhoisalsoawholelotsweeter,funnierandalittlebitawkward.RTR.SENADIGAMAGEShespeaksJapanese,knowssomeKoreanshowsherloveforconnectingwithpeople.c0-DIRECTOR-INTERNATIONALSERVICE25.26HEAVEN-ON-EARTHPERSON ShehasaheartofgoldRtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Switchesfromairplane-modebraintodetectivemodeinasecond,zeroinginonwhat’sneeded.Sheneverstopstalkingaboutherschool,buthonestly,witharecordlikehers,wedon’tblameher.Sheleavespermanentfootprints-notjustforherself,butforotherstowalkbehindher.Regardlessofmoodswingsorairplanemodes,shedeliversmorethanexpected.Sheneverfailstostepupanddragpeopleoverthefinishline(nonviolently).Lovestravelling,alwaysseekingnewperspectiveswithperfectsoundtrack+aestheticphotos.Sheforgetstocheckherownworth,alwaysdoubtingdespiteherincredibleskill.RTR.HESHANYAWIJEDASASheseestheworldalittledifferently-partlybecausesherefusestowearherglasses.c0-DIRECTOR-INTERNATIONALSERVICE25.26SWEETGIRLTheworldmightlookblurrytoher,buthergoalsneverare.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Buttheachievementthatsurpassesall,isherstilllivingandbreathingdespitealltheallergiesintheworldbeingobsessedwithher.Anythingshedoes,youcanguaranteethatit’sperfectandextremelyneat(ithastobeneatorshemighthaveastroke).Herspiritualitymakesherresilientenoughtodealwithallthemajorhurdlesshehasfacedinherjourney.Youmayfindhernoseinher“everythingnotebook”,akaherdiarythatcontainseveryminutedetaileverneeded.Withherfriendly,therapeuticcharacter,youalwaysfeelheardandseen.Whentheclockticks10,sheclocksout.Nophone,nowork,andnostudying,everythingcomestoahalt.Shetakesontheroleofeliminatinganyawkwardnessthatmightexistinthatplacewithhertalk.RTR.CHANUDIAMARATUNGAShewillhavethelastlaughoutlivingallofus.Shewillstandoverourgraveandfakecrycallingusall“Betta”c0-DIRECTOR-COMMUNITYSERVICE25.261000+AURA Herprominentpersonalitytraitisherextrovertedness.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Sheiscapableofmanagingeverythingwithjust2kinherpocketjustlikehowshedrinksAmericanowithoutsugar.Twooddbutbosslikeacts.Theonlythingthatcanthreatenherboldnessisheronemajorfear:dogs.Whilesheisgenerallyacalmandcomposedperson,someannoyingpeoplebringouthermoodswingsandherangrybirdmode.Underneathallthatsunshineissomeonewithapowerhouseofambition.Sheisaconstantsourceofinspiration.Shewantstomakeherhusbanda“househusband”sohecanrestwhilesheworksandlooksafterthefamily.Theultimatepeaceofferingpotatofries.TospeakaboutYadhuistospeakaboutawomanwhoredefineswhatitmeanstobebusy.RTR.YADHURSHIKARATHNAKUMARANNomatterwhatshe’sgoingthrough,shewillneverfailtoshowupforyou.c0-DIRECTOR-COMMUNITYSERVICE25.26AKKARtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Shehasaremarkableabilityofbeingabletoadapteffortlesslytoanysituationorsocialcircle.Savithmiisambitiousandworkshardtogetwhatevershedesires.Shewouldbetheoneboltingthroughthewoodslikeamadwomansingingatthetopofherlungs,“Areweoutofthewoods?”Themostdefiningcharacterishowshetransformstheenergywhenwearetogether.Sheisanexcellentlistenerwholistenstoeverywordwithoutjudgment.Sheiseverythingyoucouldaskforinaconfidante.Hercharacterisbuiltonaconcreteoftrust,loyalty,andsupport.Shelovesseekingthethrilloftheunknownbygoingonadventuresandgenuinelylikestravelling.RTR.SAVITHMICHANDRASEKARAShedoesn’tjustattendanevent,shebecomestheentireatmosphere.c0-DIRECTOR-CLUBSERVICE25.26WONDERLUSTShe’stheonewhowillconstantlycheckuponyoulikeaworriedmother.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26He’sneverlostabet,afactthathisgirlfriendisdeterminedtochangeoneday.WhatpeopleadmireVinulamostisthathe’sneverafraidtosetboundaries.He’sincrediblyresilientthat’shimtheperfect,dependableandresposnsibleeldestchild.Thefunniestbutreasonablepetpeevehehasiswhenpeoplehandletheirlaptopsrecklessly.ThemanhimselflookslikeLoki,hasvibeslikeLoki,sojustknowheprobablypossessthepowerthatLokidoes.Achatwithhim,andyouwilluncoverapersonalitythatisoverwhelminglycaringandfiercelyloyal.RTR.VINULADIASHe’sthekindthatnoticesthequietpersoninaroomandtriestoincludethemintheconversation.c0-DIRECTOR-CLUBSERVICE25.26BLACKCATENERGY Vinularunsaonemanshowofloyalty,courage,sacrifice,anddevotionRtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Shegenuinelyfeelsandunderstandsothers’emotions,ensuringnooneleavesfeelingworsethantheyarrived.Sheprovesthatkindnessisnotaweakness;it’sthemostbeautifulformofsilentstrength.Shecanfallasleepanywhere,makingacharactershiftintoSleepingBeauty.Shelovescatssomuchthatshehasanadorableobsessionwithcatvideos.Sheplaysoutthereal-lifeversionofaslow-motionK-dramafemaleleadentrancewithoutevenrealizing.Herabilitytohandlepressureandproblemswithsuchmaturitymeanseverythingrunssmoothly.She’soneofthekindest,mostsupportive,andgenuinepeopleyoucouldevermeet.RTR.SANOSHIWIDANAPATHIRANAShelovessweetorspicyfoodandbelievesyoumustgrabsomethingsweeteverysingleday.ASSISTANTTREASURER25.26CATWHISPERER Herwarmandcalmingaurasoftensthewholeatmosphere.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Heraurascreamscalm-speakingtoherinstantlyputsyouateaseShe’slikeironmanwhenfacedwithconflictgraceful,composed,unshaken.Ifyoudropaprobleminthegroupchat,shewillshowupinaflash,readytohelp.Thatquietdemeanorisn’tdistance-it’sthoughtfulnessandobservation.Evenwhennooneiswatching,she’sthesamepersonconfident,calm,self-aware.Shehasthesuperpowertoseepeopleforwhotheyreallyare,beyondappearancesandmerewordsSheshowsthatpowerisnotalwaysloudinnoiseorwords,butloudinaction.Shelightsuparoomwhenshesharesasongrecommendationmusicispartofhervoice.RTR.DINURIMUNIDASAASSISTANTSECRETARY25.26TRUESIGHTThesinglemostvaluablelessonfromher:loveyourselfregardless.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Herdefaultmodeisvibing,buttheswitchtoseriousmodeisinstantaneous.Don’tmistakeherpatienceforalwaysbeingcalm-putherunderstressandshetransformsintoanothercharacter.You’llfindherdancingandsingingalong-eventomusicinadvertisements.Herloyaltyisthekindwhere,‘ifyoujumpinawell,I’mjumpingwithyou.Shecanmultitaskamillionthingsandstillgeteverysingleoneofthemdone.Herfunandlovelypersonalitywithapintof“trackpanala”vibeisararequalitythesedaysandit’swhatmakeshertrulyappealing.Youcanexpect355callsandtextsfromherdecision-makingishard,butloveiseasy.Shepanicsinternally,buttheworkalwaysgetsdone-queenofmultitasking.RTR.GEMINIBISEKAASSISTANTSECRETARY25.26GAYMININOTGEMINIAIThatsmile-constant,nomatterthemood-ishertrademark.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Hisabilitytomakeeveryonediewithlaughterisaphenomenontobeanalysed.Hismostlovedactivityistowalkwithshorterpeoplesothathecanappeartobethetallerperson.Forget‘glasshalffull’,Tehan’sglassisalways,andImeanalwaysoverflowingwithpositivity.Maybehisshortlegsarealwaysinthewayofpeopleorit’shisrevengeonallthetallpeople.Hewillmakeyoufeelterribleforarrivinglateandhewillmakeyoupayforitwiththebiggestsmileonhisface.He’ssomeonewhowillinstantlylightenupthemood.Tehandoesn’tjustdreambig,hetakesmanifestationtoanotherlevel.Likeourdudelovestoguilt-tripothersforfun.RTR.TEHANNIMSITHSERGEANTATARMS25.26WALKINGCONTRADICTIONTryingtointroduceanegativethoughttohismindisanimpossibletask.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Liketruly,shelooksrightatyouandmakesyoufeellikeyou’rethemostimportantpersonintheroom.Shemakesaroominstantlyfeelwarmerandwelcomingasshelistenstoeveryconversionlikeatherapist.Ifshehadasuperpower,itwouldbetohealhearts.Shetakeshighlylogicalapproacheswhichmakesheragreatpersontohavewhenyouneedresolveissues.Sheisalwaysgivingsomethingwhetherit’shertime,helporsupportwithoutexpectinganythingback.Itisapassionofherstobeabletoimpactsomeone’slifewithallthecountlesssmallactsofkindnessthatmakepeoplefeelseen,valued,andalittlelessalone.Shecherishescutelittlethings,andifyougiftherone,shewilllosehermindinexcitement,andstoreitsafeandsoundShehasafiercedeterminationtofightforwhatshebelievesisright,evenwhenit’sdifficultorunpopular.RTR.DULASHAANNASIWATTAHERMIONEGRANGERSECRETARY25.26She’shilariouslytransparentthatshecan’tlieforthelifeofher.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Hisdedicationanddisciplineatthegymaretrulyinspiringbuthandhimcake,andit’sgameover.Twowatches,iconicphraseslike‘perse’and‘Isuppose’,andaGameofThronesmarathonalwaysrunninginthebackground—that’sclassicAnishka.Amanofwords,butevenmore,amanofaction.Ifpassionhadaface,it’dprobablybehimhittingthegymorplanningaclubprojectwiththesameintensity.He’llgiveyoulifeadvice,thenthrowarandompeacesignjustforthevibes.“Yourlifeisanaccumulationofyourdecisions,sodon’tblameanyoneelsebutyourself.”-amottohetrulylivesby.Looksintimidating,buthe’sactuallyapandaindisguisewarm,sociable,andalwayscheckinguponeveryone.“Ifyou’reinaroughpatch,don’tstayinthatroughpatch.”-oneofhisbestpiecesofadvice.RTR.ANISHKAFERNANDOGYMGURUVICEPRESIDENT25.26He’sthatfriendwho’llaskifyougothomesafe,eatenproperly,orneedsomeonetotalkto.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Don’tlethiminsistinghe’s‘tooskinny’foolyou-he’sacompletesportsmachine.Meetingsdon’tfinishontime-becauseeveryoneneedsatleast3minutesofrecoverytimeafterhisjokes.He’stheperfectchaos:hilarious,caring,anddeeplygenuine.Heperformswiththeconfidenceofsomeonebornforthestage-andmaybehewas.Justlikeeverymoviehasthatonepersonwhocracksjokes,ourclubhasKisaja.Ifhe’snotplayingcricket,he’swatchingit-andifhe’snotwatchingit,he’s…okay,let’sbereal,you’llneverfindhiminthatstate.Hecancalmdownatenseroomwithajoke,motivateateamwithlaughter,andtakeresponsibilitybeforeanyoneasks.15minutesofrevision,3monthsofsyllabus,andstillpasseswithflyingcolours-wedon’tknowhow,butitworks.WALKINGPHARMACY (PS:FORLAUGHTERNOTANYTHINGELSERTR.KISAJAWIJEWARDHANAVICEPRESIDENT25.26Armedwithjokesthatroastyouandmovesthatshutyouupinstantly.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Beyondthechaosandchatter,he’sgotyourbackalways.Heloveshimselfsomuch,hesayshe’sgod.That’swhatengineeringdoestoyourbrain,Iguess.You’llknowShanjai’slaughingfromamileaway-thesqueakhasitsownfanbase.“Beyourself.Loveyourself.”-ishisdailymantraHe’sproofthatbeingfunny,chaotic,anddependablecanallexistinoneperson.EveryphotosessionwithShanjaiisanendurancetestcomeprepared,it’sneverquick.Forgetconventionaltherapy,theonlysolutionisShanjai’sreversepsychology.He’llgaslightacouple,lightafire,andsitbacklaughinglikeamechanicalwhirringmachine.PERFECTSTICKERMATERIALRTR.SHANJAIPUSHPARAJVICEPRESIDENT25.26He’dkillforcheesekottu.Literally.Don’ttestit.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Theamountofrawcreativityhepoursintoproblem-solvingisunreal!Ifyou’veplayedKahootwithhim,you’vesurvivedastormofcompetitiveroasts.Hisgoldfishmemoryisacrimeagainstdeadlines.He’slivingproofthatagoodleaderlistens,laughs,andliftsothers.HeturnsintoAristotleatrandommoments-cosmiclecturesincluded.There’snodifferencebetweenhis“funself”andhis“workself”,healwaysoperatesinanautomodewiththesamenaturallevelofhigh.Hehassetthestandardforourclubbyalwayslivingbywhathehassaid.Evenhisscoldingsaresocalmthatyoustartquestioningifyouwereactuallyscolded.RTR.JAYODPERERANICEGUYIMMEDIATEPASTPRESIDENT25.26He’salwaysmanagedtomakethebestlemonadeoutofeverylemonlifethrewhiswayRtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
MM EEEE TT TT HH EE TT EEAA MMSSEE RR IIEESSM EE T T H E T EA MSE R IESRtr. Rana RilwanEDITOR 2025-26Yasithisagenerallycalmperson,butthatdisappearswhenhe’sontheroadandsomeoneovertakeshiscar.WhatmostpeopleloveaboutYasithisheislikeafatherfigureforsomeofhisfriendsbecauseofthatuniquekindnessheembodies.Standingnexttohimforapicture?Preparetolooklikeaminion.Regardlessofthedifficultscenarioshecomesacross,he’sabletomaintainhisprofessionalismandcomposure.Hisloudandjoyfullaughlightensthemoodinstantly.Evenifyouspentamomentwithhim,hewouldbewithawitha‘KiriTea’(MilkteamadeinSriLankanstyle)saying‘Deviyane,deviyane’or‘Bloodyhell,’anychancehegets.Anotherproofthatshowshis“criminal”tendencyisthatheopenlyonlyfavoursaselectivenumberofpetdogbreeds.RTR. YASITHADITHYABURJKHALIFAPRESIDENT25.26HewearstheBoardt-shirtlikeit’samedal -wovenwithresponsibilityandhonour.Yasithisapersonwhohasaverytransparentpersonality.Rtr. SaviniYassanayakeGRAPHICS
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2025October isn't just about cosy weather and pumpkin spice...it'salso a month painted in pink. Everywhere you look, there's agentle reminder of strength, survival, and the unbreakablebond of sisterhood. This is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month,a time when the world comes together to talk and take actionagainst one of the most common cancers affecting womentoday.The story of Breast Cancer Awareness Month began back in1985, thanks to a partnership between the American CancerSociety and Imperial Chemical Industries, a pharmaceuticalcompany that produced cancer drugs. Their goal was topromote early detection and raise public understanding aboutbreast cancer (a simple but life-changing move!). Over theyears, the pink ribbon became its symbol, spreading globally asa quiet yet powerful emblem of hope, strength, and solidarity.Who Should Be Aware? The answer is.....everyone.While breast cancer is most common among women, men canbe affected too (though it's much rarer). According to the WorldHealth Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the mostfrequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide,affecting millions each year. It's especially common amongwomen aged 40 and above, but awareness and self-checkhabits should start much earlier.In simple terms, early detection can save lives. When breastcancer is found in its early stages, the chances of successfultreatment are very high. But the thing is, early detection onlyhappens when people know what to look for and take action.HH OO PPEE II NN OO CC TT OO BB EE RR
According to the WHO, roughly half of all breast cancers occurin women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age.That's where self-awareness comes in.....encouraging regularself-exams, annual screenings, and also breaking the silence orfear that often surrounds this topic. Educating yourself aboutthis topic will motivate you to take early prevention steps whilereducing the risk of developing it.Your Guide to Breast Cancer AwarenessGet familiar with how your breasts look and feel whenthey’re normal. You can spot any unusual changes in yourbreasts early on with the help of monthly self-examinations.Schedule screenings annually, as mammograms can detectlumps long before they're noticeable. (This saves countlesslives every single year!)When breast cancer is first suspected, it's important to get aproper clinical evaluation and diagnosis, along with a referralfor timely treatment before the disease progresses.Have conversations on this topic with your friends, family,and co-workers. Let everyone know as awareness growswhen we share it.You can support the cause by joining awareness campaignsand walks, wearing pink, or even donating to trusted cancerorganisations. You can even donate clothes, food, and otheressentials to cancer hospitals. Every small action you takemakes a big difference!HH OO PPEE II NN OO CC TT OO BB EE RRBREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2025
As of recent WHO data, over 2.3 million women are diagnosedwith breast cancer annually. And sadly, hundreds of thousandslose their lives to it. But survival rates are steadily improving,thanks to awareness and better screening methods along withadvanced treatments. This is an opportunity to honour thestrong, brave people fighting the disease and also to honourand celebrate breast cancer survivors!So remember, October is a gentle reminder to pause andprotect ourselves, our mothers, our sisters, friends, and evenstrangers. Let's learn about breast cancer and help spreadawareness by taking action, showing support, and spreadinglight in a world that sometimes overlooks what truly matters.As the saying goes,\"Prevention is better than cure\" and awareness is the first steptowards saving lives...HH OO PPEE II NN OO CC TT OO BB EE RRBREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2025Rtr. Kavya ThotawatteEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
What started as a message on the student WhatsApp groupsomehow spiraled into one of the most fulfilling experiencesI’ve ever had. The message read: \"Only 10 volunteer slots areavailable — first come, first served… Selected volunteers willgain invaluable experience and receive a prestigious Letter ofAppreciation from ICF Colombo Chapter.\" Honestly, that was allI needed to hear.Did we know what the ICF Colombo Chapter actually was?Nope. Did we have a clue what “coaching” meant as aprofession? Also nope. But hey, it sounded fancy enough for abunch of clueless-but-curious Business undergrads to throwour names in. And just like that, deal sealed.We met Ms. Chathuskka, the mastermind who decided to ropein SLIIT students as volunteers for this big-deal event. (Blessher, because without her, we’d still be sitting at Anohanadebating whether iced coffee counts as lunch.) My first official“volunteer duty” came with backup, my batch rep and fellowvolunteer, Sehansa.Together, we trudged over (read: dramatically dragged ourtired student selves) to meet the wonderful Ms. AndreaJayatilleka, the President herself, and Mr. Chandana, ExecutiveCommittee member, and honestly, the man should consider aside hustle in student counseling. The way he patiently handledour wide-eyed confusion was nothing short of professionallevel mentoring.CC RR EEAATT IIVVEECC HH RR OO NN II CC LLEESSC R EAT IVEC H R O N I C LESCHAPTER 01:VOLUNTEERING WITH A SIDE OF CHAOS
Our very first task? To invite corporates and individuals inleadership roles to attend the conference. Sounds simple,right? If only! Fast forward through what felt like a hundredphone calls and collecting enough email IDs to make Gmailraise an eyebrow, we somehow got it done.As the days drew closer to the big event, I finally got to meetmy fellow volunteers in person. Until then, they were justnames floating on Zoom calls. The reality? A beautiful mess…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.Here’s the lineup: four second-year business undergrads(Suvethini, Dhakshinie, Afra, and Mishal), a cool fourth-yearsenior (Aysha), me and my partner-in-crime Sehansa, our veryown third-year influencer Sarmi (because every squad needsone), and the loving Sonali: mom, superwoman, and the naturalguardian of the group.CC RR EEAATT IIVVEECC HH RR OO NN II CC LLEESSC R EAT IVEC H R O N I C LESCHAPTER 01:VOLUNTEERING WITH A SIDE OF CHAOS
CC RR EEAATT IIVVEECC HH RR OO NN II CC LLEESSC R EAT IVEC H R O N I C LESIt still amazes me how a group of people who would’ve nevercrossed paths despite literally roaming the same campusgrounds every week, were brought together by this one event.Fate? Absolutely.The day before the conference, we finally met the rest of theExCo members. And honestly, if I had to describe them in oneword? Chaos! But the good kind.There was Mr. Azeem Saheer, Project Chair and Vice Presidentof ICF, basically the living embodiment of “organized chaos.”Then there was Ms. Inouka Dias, whose energy was palpableand Mr. Roshanta Jayatunga, who wore his Batman t-shirt inappreciation of Batman Day. (Apparently, it exists) And the restof the team? Let’s just say if passion and dedication wereOlympic sports, they’d be winning gold medals left, right, andcenter.CHAPTER 01:VOLUNTEERING WITH A SIDE OF CHAOS
D-DayFinally, the big dayarrived, September24th. Day one of theSecond InternationalCoaching Conference.The day we’d all beenwaiting (and slightlyCC RR EEAATT IIVVEECC HH RR OO NN II CC LLEESSC R EAT IVEC H R O N I C LESstressing) for. We kicked off the adventure bright and early, 6a.m. at Cinnamon Life, the City Of Dreams (indeed!).I started things off with Sehansa by welcoming guests andhanding out goodie bags. Simple in theory. But when you’vespent hours in haphazard packing and mild panic mode, everyneatly placed notebook and leaflet feels like a personal victory.Next stop: the interactive social spaces. My assignment? TheSuperPower Wall, a spot where participants could write or drawa strength, talent, or quality that brought them success.Honestly, watching people pause, think, and then proudly sharetheir “superpowers” was nothing short of inspiring.Of course, no grand Sri Lankan event is complete without aceremonial twist. Cue the bulath leaf ritual. But here’s the plottwist, confusion broke out on which way the leaf shouldactually be handed over. After much polite debate (and somesubtle side-eye exchanges), it was unanimously decided: Stemfacing inwards. Crisis averted. Tradition saved.CHAPTER 01:VOLUNTEERING WITH A SIDE OF CHAOS
CC RR EEAATT IIVVEECC HH RR OO NN II CC LLEESSC R EAT IVEC H R O N I C LESThe first keynote came fromProfessor Suranga, who spokeon Assistive Augmentation:Fundamentally TransformingHuman Ability. Big title, bigideas. My brain was buzzing.Session 1 brought us back toDr. Ben Koh. His message?Don’t focus on the “how”instead, focus on the “what.”We also had Swetha Handagupta with The Future is Human:Coaching at the Edge of What Comes Next and guest speakerLinda Berlot with Session 2 on Fostering Team Excellence.What I loved most? The sessions weren’t just “sit quietly andnod” affairs. They were interactive, engaging, and refreshinglyalive. Not one boring moment…though I can only officiallyvouch for myself. (And yes, you, the guy in the last table whowas trying really hard not to fall asleep after the big buffetlunch, I saw you. I’m looking at you.)Day 2Breakfast that morning? Kiribath. Hands down the best I’veever had (sorry, Mom, I know you’re side-eyeing me right now).Next up was a live coaching demo by Team Coach Subash,followed by a panel discussion featuring Shwetha, MayuraMalagala, and Hashitha.CHAPTER 01:VOLUNTEERING WITH A SIDE OF CHAOS
Then, just when we thought our brains were full, a musical duo,took the stage and wow, the crowd was officially mesmerized.Session 3 was led by Asmaa Alkuwari, who walked us throughDesigning Communities That Hold Us: The Missing Link in theCoaching World. Thought-provoking, interactive, and perfectfor reflecting on the “we” in all of us.And then… a moment to remember: We Will Rock You blastingthrough the hall, and suddenly, these big-shot professionals,CEOs, coaches, and industry leaders, just let loose and tappedtheir feet to the beat.The final session of the day? Kushil Gunasekera, formercricketer, businessman, and philanthropist, who reminded us ofthe art of giving, sharing stories from his Foundation ofGoodness.CC RR EEAATT IIVVEECC HH RR OO NN II CC LLEESSC R EAT IVEC H R O N I C LESRtr. Amna ThanzeelEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26By the end of it all, the big concept we explored was I, We, andUs. Working for and with these incredible people taught me somuch about kindness, responsibility, and actually seizingopportunities when they come your way. I got to see the realmeaning of “working together,” and learned that work can befun if it’s done right. I’m leaving this experience inspired,grateful, and already looking forward to the next opportunity tolearn, contribute, and maybe vibe a little too.CHAPTER 01:VOLUNTEERING WITH A SIDE OF CHAOS
Why Ending Violence Against Women Matters?Every year on 25 November, the world marks the InternationalDay for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, but thisyear feels especially urgent. In 2025, the campaign theme is\"UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”,spotlighting how abuse has crept into the online world anddemanding we treat it as real, serious harm.thThe roots of this day trace back to the Mirabal sisters: Patricia,Minerva, and María Teresa, known as \"Las Mariposas\" or \"TheButterflies”. In the Dominican Republic, they dared challengethe brutal Trujillo regime, determined to fight for justice. On25 November 1960, they were ambushed and killed, and theirdeaths were staged as a simple car crash. The outrage thatfollowed transformed the three Mirabal sisters into symbols ofresistance. In 1999, the United Nations officially dedicated thisdate to calling out violence against women.thViolence against women isn't limited to physical or face-to-faceabuse. According to UN Women, it manifests in many ways,including: Physical violence includes hitting or assault, sexualassault involves harassment or forced acts without consent,psychological violence includes threats, manipulation, andcontrol, economic violence includes the restriction ofmoney/independence, and lastly, digital violence, which issupposed to be the focus in 2025. This also includescyberstalking, image-based abuse, doxxing, hate speech, andAI-manipulated deepfakes.SSPPEE CC IIAALL DDAAYYSSINTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OFVIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 2025
Online spaces are no longer a refuge. For many women, they'rethe new frontlines of abuse. It’s also a tool of systemicoppression, meant to restrict women’s power, hamper theirrights, limit career prospects, and undermine their position insociety, while affecting their personal lives, relationships, andeveryday freedom. Reports from the UN highlight howanonymity and rapid evolving technology make digital violencewidespread yet repeatedly dismissed.This is not the responsibility of survivors alone, but a collectiveresponsibility. The 2025 UNiTE campaign urges governments,technology companies, donors, and individuals to scale up theirefforts. Above all, what is needed are stronger, clearer laws fromgovernments. Tech companies must redesign platforms withsafety at the centre. Funders should support organisationsbridging gender equality and digital rights. Most importantly,communities, including men and boys, must speak out andactively support survivors.Digital violence is not \"just online drama.\" It has real-lifeimpacts, as it silences women, damages mental health throughthe spread of fear, and can escalate offline. In order for things tochange, we need updated laws that actually protect againstdigital abuse, schools must make online safety and consentpart of mainstream education, and support systems such ashelplines and counseling services must adapt to the realities ofsurvivors in a digital era.SSPPEE CC IIAALL DDAAYYSSINTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OFVIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 2025
The picture is alarming in Sri Lanka: according to UNFPA, nearlyone in four women reported having experienced physicaland/or sexual violence since age 15. The COVID-19 pandemicincreased the problem given lockdowns, which have left manysurvivors isolated and without essential access to support.This reality makes one thing clear: Addressing violence againstwomen is no longer optional... It's something we must confrontnow, not someday.A Legacy That Still InspiresThe Mirabel sisters lost their lives in 1960, but their couragecontinues to fuel a global movement. Their story is a strongreminder that violence, in any form, is never acceptable. And in2025, as our lives become more connected through socialmedia, digital violence has become the newest battleground.Ending it isn't a one-day task. It's a commitment to makingwomen and girls feel safe and respected by confrontinginjustice, speaking up for those who cannot, and creating aworld where they can live free from fear and harm, and free tothrive. Now is the time to unite, act, and make change!SSPPEE CC IIAALL DDAAYYSSINTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OFVIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 2025Rtr. Kavya ThotawatteEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26
Every year, the International Day of People with Disability invitesus to do something simple yet powerful: slow down and trulysee each other.Not through labels. Not through assumptions. Not through pityor performative appreciation.But through humanity.We often talk about inclusion as if it’s a box to tick or a policy toupdate. Inclusion is not paperwork. It’s a mindset. It’s the waywe treat someone, the patience we show when communicationlooks different, the way we make room at the table instead ofwaiting to be asked.It’s everyday choices that say,“You are valued. You belong here.”People with disabilities are not defined by their disability. Theyare students, creators, leaders, thinkers, problem-solvers, andstorytellers. They bring perspectives that expand our littlecorner of the world, skills shaped by resilience, patience, andcourage, and a depth of strength that often goes unseen. Butnone of this should be romanticized, it should simply berecognized.Today, it’s important to remember that accessibility isn’t an actof charity. It represents a commitment to fairness. It’sacknowledging that equal opportunities don’t always start atthe same place, and that creating a more inclusive worldnecessitates us to rebuild what’s unequal, rethink what’s beenignored, and remove barriers we’ve accepted for too long.SSPPEE CC IIAALL DDAAYYSSINTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITHDISABILITIES
Take a moment today to reflect: Have we listened, or just heard?Have we been inclusive, or just inviting? Have we beensupporting, or simply appearing supportive?Change begins with awareness, but it grows through honest,consistent action.So today, let’s honor the voices and experiences of people withdisabilities by letting them lead the conversation. Let’s amplifytheir stories, respect their individuality, and work toward a worldwhere accessibility isn’t an afterthought but a foundation.This day serves as a reminder that we are all connected. Ourdifferences don’t separate us; they enrich us. And when wechoose empathy over assumptions and understanding overconvenience, we move one step closer to a future whereeveryone feels seen, heard, and valued.Not just today.But every day.SSPPEE CC IIAALL DDAAYYSSINTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITHDISABILITIESRtr. SaviniYasanayakeEDITORIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER 2025-26