Rotary District 3220 Conference brings together key stakeholders

The 22nd Rotary District Conference was ceremoniously opened on 15 February at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre and was followed by a two-day confab at the BMICH. Organised by Rotary District 3220 Sri Lanka, the conference was graced by leading Rotary International (RI) dignitaries along with a number of key speakers who covered a range of topics in technical sessions held on 16-17 February.

Among noted dignitaries attending the three-day conference were RI General Secretary John Hewko, RI Director and RI President’s Representative Yash Pal Das, and Past RI President Kalyan Banerjee.

Other key speakers and attendees included Guest of Honour Ministry of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, District Governor Dharshan John, Ladies’ College Colombo Principal Nirmalie Wickremesinghe, Laughs Holdings Chairman K.W.H Wegapitiya, Citi Group UK Managing Director Bernard Sinniah, Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission Chairman C. R. De Silva, University of Alabama Cancer Centre Head Dr. Ed Partridge, District 5240 California USA DG Frank Ortiz, Guru Vidyut Udaiver, and Co Founder of famed musical group BNS Bathiya Jayakody.

Among topics that were addressed during the three-day event were various aspects of health, including reducing racial and ethnic health disparities through cancer care, education covering early childhood and community building, peace and reconciliation and facilitating goodwill through political means and a glimpse into what lies in store for Rotary in the year ahead.

Inspirational leaders including business magnate K.W.H. Wegapitiya and famed Guru Vidyut Udaiver spoke on motivation and achieving goals.

The final day of the conference saw a political roundtable with the participation of the leaders, or their representatives, of all major political parties in the country with an in-depth discussion on peace and reconciliation.

The Rotary movement continues to champion various programs to uplift communities including threats to health such as polio, diabetes and kidney disease. The movement’s focus on facilitating and providing opportunities for education are among paramount ongoing programs, which was also dicussed at the conference.