ROTARACT Club, University of Kelaniya
Rotaract was founded forty seven years ago, with the Rotaract Club of North Charlotte, Carolina being the first club to be chartered – on March 13, 1968. Although this club is recognized as the first Rotaract club, Rotarians have been sponsoring similar organizations for young adults since the early 1920s.
In 1927, Round Table clubs were founded in Great Britain and Ireland. Membership in Round Table clubs was open to young men ages 18 to 40, and by 1935, there were more than 90 Round Table clubs.
In 1965, these organizations experienced significant growth – in part due to the Interact program created by Rotary International in 1962. Many Interactors, having reached the age limit of that program, were starting new types of clubs called “Senior Interact”.
The new program’s name, Rotaract, was created by Rotary International as a combination of the words “Rotary” and “Action”. The aim of the program was stated to be “to develop leadership and responsible citizenship through service to the community.” Coincidentally, the service club at the University of North Carolina had already adopted the name in 1966, but they coined it as a combination of the names “Rotary” and “Interact.” The committee also decided that young women should be allowed to join on equal standing with male members at the discretion of the sponsoring Rotary club.
ROTARACT Club activities
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown, the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya was chartered on the 3rd of June 2010 under the Presidency of Rtr. PP Dilanka Weerakoon. With a noble desire to serve humanity, over the past years, the club has given spirit and life to numerous projects, making an impact in the lives of countless people across the country by being a beacon of hope.
From empowering local communities through education and healthcare projects to championing environmental sustainability and social welfare through innovative initiatives, our dedication to making a positive difference has never wavered. Some of our stellar award-winning projects, where creativity and impact unite to redefine, excellence include ‘Writing Maze’, Spectrum’, ‘RotaTomorrow’ and ‘Track the Spread’.
HOPE IN SERVICE, HOPE IN ACTION
Our mission is driven by hope, and we're steadfast in our belief that through service and action, we can create a brighter and more compassionate world. As we progress, we're dedicated to tackling fresh challenges, seeking inventive solutions, and broadening our impact to touch more lives.
With an incredibly diverse and talented team of over 500 Rotaractors that come from all over the country, the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya stepped into its 14th year on the 1st of July 2023 under the guidance of President Rtr. Roshan Rathnayake and Secretary Rtr. Akshana Wickramasinghe with a clear vision of becoming one of the Most Influential Youth Organizations in the country as they dedicate their time and energy towards the betterment of its people and the community around.
PAST PROJECTS
Writing Maze
Writing Maze brought together the creative talents of 46 gifted writers hailing from 17 Rotaract Clubs and 3 Interact Clubs, weaving the threads of a captivating sci-fi novel, “The Man on the Moon”. Beyond its literary achievements, the project bore an even greater purpose where the novel's profits were established into the "Furry Tales Foundation," a heartwarming endeavor aimed at providing comfort, nutrition, and essential medical aid to stray dogs in need.
Spotlight
This exciting endeavour set out to discover the best vocal talent among Rotaractors from across the country. After selecting 12 contestants for the semifinals out of the submissions, a workshop series was also conducted by her to enhance the vocal skills of the contestants. After an entertaining semi-final, 5 contestants were selected to advance to the finals. The finals of Spotlight evolved into a glamorous spectacle, with the finalists delivering two distinct performances spanning various genres.
Rotralia
Rotralia was a remarkable concert which featured the renowned Sri Lankan band "Wayo" along with the winner of the Spotlight musical competition.
Spectrum
Following its inaugural success in winning an international award in addition to a South Asian award in its first year, it was organized for the second consecutive year with the aim to explore the emerging realm of NFTs and harness innovative digital asset technology to create sustainable revenue streams.
Rota Tomorrow
This exceptional initiative centers on a competition that unites the entire member base, totaling over 500 members, into teams. Each team is tasked with championing a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), allocated through a dynamic bidding process. The mission is to bring these SDGs to life through innovative projects. In the latest iteration of Rota Tomorrow, members were assigned to 12 distinguished groups, each entrusted with an SDG.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Project on Empowering a Rural Community
This project is all about serving a rural community. Initial phase of the project focuses on empowering young students by providing essential teaching aids and improving the area’s school facilities while addressing the challenge of limited access to clean water by constructing a new well and renovating the supply of water. The final project aims to improve the health and well-being of the community by mobilizing passionate volunteers. This phase is organized into three segments; Health Awareness Campaign, donations to the village hospital, free medical check-ups for community members, and a blood donation campaign to address the ongoing need for blood supply in healthcare facilities.
Project Arambhana
This is an initiative to support and empower small and medium-scale enterprises by providing them with a platform to showcase their innovative business ideas and products to potential investors, mentors, and a wider audience. Entrepreneurs can pitch their start-ups to a panel of experienced investors or venture capitalists. Alongside financial support, successful entrepreneurs will receive mentorship from industry experts.
ROTARACT CLUB | NEWS
Voyagers for a novel year with novel perspectives; the Board of Directors 2023-24 of RACUOK. "What we do is not for the likes, but for the belief, we share within our community to be hospitable for anyone and everyone we come across in our life." This marks another golden page of the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya, a prestigious movement driven with the noble intention of serving society, with the appointment of thirty-six young and prolific undergraduates as the Board of Directors for the year 2023-24 following its 14th Installation Ceremony. This accomplished Board of Directors is comprised of highly talented individuals representing five faculties of the university, and they bear distinct responsibilities ranging from the Executive Committee to the Directorships of the respective avenues of the club, by contributing with their utmost for the upliftment of the club as well as the entire society.
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Rtr. Roshan Rathnayake |
President |
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Rtr. Manula Pethiyagoda |
Immediate Past President |
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Rtr. Dhanika Kumarasiri |
Vice President |
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Rtr. Disandi Nikagoda |
Vice President |
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Rtr. Vihanga Divyanjana |
Vice President |
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Rtr. Akshana Wickramasinghe |
Secretary |
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Rtr. Adeesha Abeydheera |
Assistant Secretary |
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Rtr. Dhanushi Jayaweera |
Assistant Secretary |
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Rtr. Sakuna Thennakoon |
Treasurer |
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Rtr. Hashan Koonara |
Sergeant-at-Arms |
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Rtr. Senara Sudasinghe |
Senior Editor |
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Rtr. Chrish Shalini |
Co-Editor |
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Rtr. Dewminie Fernando |
Co-Editor |
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Rtr. Pavani Premarathne |
Co-Editor |
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Rtr. Rabiha Naushad |
Co-Editor |
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Rtr. Kandakumar Gangadaran |
Co-Director, Club Service Avenue. |
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Rtr. Lanka Muhandiram |
Co-Director, Club Service Avenue. |
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Rtr. Dimithri Premarathne |
Co-Director, Community Service Avenue |
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Rtr. Dinithi Thilakarathna |
Co-Director, Community Service Avenue |
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Rtr. Wickshi Kalani |
Co-Director, Community Service Avenue |
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Rtr. Chanumi Manathunga |
Co-Director, International Service Avenue |
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Rtr. Subodha Rajakaruna |
Co-Director, International Service Avenue |
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Rtr. Sandeepa Mapalagama |
Co-Director of the Professional Development Avenue. |
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Rtr. Maryam Mahas |
Co-Director of the Professional Development Avenue. |
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Rtr. Ahamed Zufar Ali |
Co-Director of the Sports and Recreational Activities Avenue. |
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Rtr. Samadhi Weerasinghe |
Co-Director of the Sports and Recreational Activities Avenue. |
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Rtr. Dulith Silva |
Co-Director of the Digital Media Avenue |
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Rtr. Uthpala Rathnayake |
Co-Director of the Finance Avenue |
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Rtr. Nifal Munhim |
Co-Director of the Finance Avenue |
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Rtr. Sampath Chathuranga |
Co-Director of the Information Technology Avenue |
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Rtr. Yasiru Thanthirige |
Co-Director of the Information Technology Avenue |
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Rtr. Janali Piyadigama |
Co-Director of Member Relations Avenue |
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Rtr. Leshan Sanjeewa |
Co-Director of Member Relations Avenue |
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Rtr. Gaveen Buddhika |
Joint Co-Director - Public Relations & Digital Media |
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Rtr. Sewwandi Rexmi |
Co-Director - Public Relations |
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Rtr. Dilaksha Dissanayake |
Co-Director - Regional Engagement |
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Rtr. Navodhya Marasinghe |
Co-Director - Regional Engagement |
‘ATHENA’ Magazine
The magazine seeks to empower women through its pages by providing them with a space to share their thoughts and ideas making their voice a catalyst for change. Thus, we hope this platform will inspire and empower global women in this time of uncertainty, despair, and turmoil.
It is now available on the official website of the Rotaract club of the University of Kelaniya.
Click on the link below to be directed to the magazine.
https://racuok.lk/athena-magazine/
Location :
Contacts :
Career Guidance Unit,
University of Kelaniya,
Dalugama, Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka, 11600.
Email: careers@kln.ac.lk
Tel: +94 (0) 112 917 711
Fax: +94 (0) 112 917 711