Saturday Nov 30, 2024
Saturday Nov 30, 2024
Wednesday, 7 August 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
a Past President of Colombo Toastmasters Club and a Past District Officer, Yukthi Gunasekara, a Past President of Colombo Toastmasters Club, Sujith Bandulahewa, a veteran Toastmaster, who was instrumental in forming the Territorial Council between India and Sri Lanka, which eventually led to the formation of District 82, Lalith Kahatapitiya, the first DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) of Sri Lanka, and Padmini Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka’s first Woman DTM.
Able Toastmaster Haleem Ghouse conducted the ceremony of installing the first Executive Committee of The Regalia in his inimitable style, whilst observing high standards of the solemn event; he spiced it up with subtle humour to suit the evening. This fine blend of sorts is achieved only in the hands of a master craftsman. The Founder President Sulakshana Fernando, Vice President Education Anuradha Saparamadu, Vice President Membership Thushantha Kariyawasam, Vice President Public Relations Kolitha Ratnayake, Secretary S. Malavarayar, Treasurer Darshana Welikala and Sergeant at Arms Amila Fernando were duly installed in office.
Delivering the Presidential speech, Toastmaster Sulakshana Fernando said that The Regalia’s mission is to create Iconic Speakers whilst promoting the elegance of good etiquette in Toastmasters for the greater good of the organisation and its members. “Our main focus is the development of the individual Member, which is, in fact, the spirit of Toastmasters Int’l. Our members can aspire to become ‘distinguished’ speakers through The Regalia. Able to speak sense, persuade and inspire audiences for the greater good of society. Speech has no value unless, its purpose is noble,” she said. In that endeavour, the Club plans to have a series of customised training programs in the future.
Faiszer Musthapha observed that having witnessed some great speakers in action that evening, he feels the biggest service Toastmasters could offer by mother Lanka is to carry the message of secularism. “Quite unfortunately, people have forgotten that it was only the other day we had a War that plagued the country for over thirty years. Back then, ‘living the next day was a bonus’. But, extremists today are arguing on the lines of racism and religion to further their own political ends. Unless good men and women like you speak up, evil will triumph. Let not that happen. Let us live the Peace we won together as Sri Lankans,” the Deputy Minister said.
The Guest of Honour and Club Mentor, Competent Toastmaster Sujith Bandulahewa addressing the gathering said; “It is interesting to note that the tagline of The Regalia is ‘Where Iconic Speakers Are Made’, which is a basic requirement to align a person to the tagline of Toastmasters International, which is; ‘Where Leaders Are Made’. Effective communication is a necessary part of a great leader,” he stated.
Senior State Council, Competent Toastmaster Rajiv Goonetilleke, delivering the Keynote Speech noted that Toastmasters is a great place for us to learn from each other and leverage on our communications skills with every aspect of our lives. The opportunities are naturally available at a Toastmasters Club because people from all walks of life are free to join and become members.
The dinner following the meeting was a class of its own. Plated service with a seafood theme and the pipe music to go along were exquisitely chosen. Toastmaster Yukthi Gunasekara proposed three toasts in honour of the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Toastmasters Int’l and the Charter President of The Regalia, respectively. After dinner, the distinguished gathering was invited to a Coffee and Liqueur Lounge for fellowship where Toastmaster Niranjan de Silva delivered the After Dinner speech, placing the last cherry on the cake of an event that was truly iconic.
“This event will go down in the history of Toastmasters as one of the best Charter and Officer Installation Ceremonies ever,” said a veteran who has been with Toastmasters long enough to comment.
Bravo, The Regalia!
