Leo District 306A2

November Edition

jeewana
yathra15
page 3,4

page 5

EL TALENTO15
page 6

Word with
the World

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

November

Message from District President

Almost six months have passed. Have you ever thought about where youre going?
Have you reached destination successfully?
The first step in taking our district/your club, from good to best would be to set a new
direction, a new vision or a new strategy. Then get your members/Leos committed
and aligned behind the new direction. With all my experience I can say one thing, All
the great leaders chose a different path . Ill share some thoughts with you all which
Jim Collins said...

* Successful leaders are prepared to set out in new directions to find new opportunities and different ways to
take things forward.

* To begin with your people, Build a shared vision, then together determine what destination success should mean.

* Leaders find the new and look to the future. They dont rest in the past.

* Leaders look for differences and opportunities, rather than necessarily following the well-trodden path.

So, we all worked very hard to lead the humanity and what I only can say is we succeeded in that journey. But to rip the fruits
from seeds we planted, all my Leos have to stay strong and work with each other to rip more fruits at the end.
I know you are the Best and lets march forward as a team to show the world WHO WE ARE!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Your Friend,
Leo Pramod Wimalatunga
District President

Leo of the Month

In appreciation of Dedication for the

betterment of leo movement

Leo Vishwa Weerasekara

Leo Club of Horana Mid city

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

November

jeewana
yathra15

As Leos we pledge ourselves to help

those in need. So, it is a responsibility
of ours to reach the children who are
in need in each corner of the society.
This is the high time for it, to extend
the helping hands to students who
are nancially challenged, but still
are courageous to make themselves
educated.

Education is the pathway to success. It is one of

the most important means of achieving broader
development goals such as decreasing poverty,
improving health, strengthening social justice,
sustaining peace and personal development.
Uneven quality and access to education have
become major issues in Sri Lanka, despite its
commitment to universal provision. Most of the
well-equipped schools are concentrated around
major cities and facilities available in schools
are very fewer and poor in remote educational
zones like Uwa Paranagama. Therefore with
the objective of addressing those loopholes in
the way are capable of, Jeewana Yathra15 was
organized and it was held from 1st to 3rd of
November 2015 in Uwa Paranagama, Badulla.
A narrow school life merely focused on passing
examinations does not include critical thinking,
analytical
skills,
problem-solving
skills,
personality development skills and independent
thinking skills which are benecial for higher
education and ultimately for employment.

Through this multi-service project; Jeewana

Yathra15, we were able to conduct 12 service
projects including Educational Seminars for
O/L students, Career Guidance for A/L Students
and School Leavers, Skills and Leadership
Development for Prefects, Art Competition for
School Children, Excercise Books, stationary
and Library book Donations for school children,
Medical Camp for primary school students,
Donation of sports items Awareness campaign
on Nutritional needs in schools Teacher Training
Programs, Drug Prevention awareness program
for school students in the remote areas of Uwa
Paranagama.
We also organized a Night camp and a eld trip
for the Leos who joined with this project with the
aim of upraising the fellowship among them.

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

November

Jeewana Yathra15 was a collective eort of 13 Leo

clubs in District 306A2 and through this project we
were able to bring out the fact that schooling is not
merely an instrumental tool for producing the next
generation of Labor force. It is about equipping
individuals with capabilities to create a good
society, a goal undercut by heavy dependence
of Tuition classes and competitiveness,yet could
be upraised with the inuence of courageous
individuals like us, Leos.
Unlike many countries in its region, Sri Lanka
has infrastructure and systems in place for
high-quality Sports, but disparities remain as
most of the schools in remote areas like Uwa
Paranagama faces the problem of uneven quality
and access to quality education. Therefore
our eort to build a generation which is both
mentally and physically strong enough to
challenge the future through Jeewana Yatha15,
was a timely decision which was much needed
to the society and we succeeded in it.

As a committee we would like to appreciate the

generous support of each and every person who
rendered their support towards the success of this
project and hope you all will continue the same
momentum in serving towards your community
and country.

Article by - Leo Kulani Jayathilaka

This great course was spearheaded by Leo

Sachintha Suranda and Leo Deshan Thalduwage
who were the project Chairmen with the
assistance of Project Secretary and Treasurer
Leo Kulani Jayathilaka and Leo Ravindu Vishan
respectively.

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

November

EL
TALENTO
15
Work SMART not HARD

Do what you love and love what you do is the simple motive of my life. As the chairperson of one
of the historic talent shows of Leo District 306 A2, I am eternally grateful to hold the key position of this
great show. I believe that, my passion towards music, dancing and drama inspired me to accept
the challenge of organizing EL TALENTO15. It was wonderful Leadership Experience Opportunity
for me.Fore mostly I need to convey my heartiest gratitude to the District President Leo Pramod
Wimalathunga for giving me this enormous opportunity.
The main endeavor of organizing the show was to recognize
hidden talents of Leos and to fulfill the responsibility towards
the society and its wellbeing. Therefore this was organized
to raise funds for the District Project ONE RUPEE ONE CHILD
which is a scholarship program for less fortunate children
across the island.
I consider if you want to be successful in the modern world
people have to be Smart and also Multi-potentialised
while being Multi- Talented, which means humans need to
understand their capacity in terms of being a multi skilled
person. Proficiency in Aesthetic and Sports are vital as well
as education. It offers a person a well balanced life and
balanced life is a key factor of being success. Leos are
talented set of young individuals and they need continuous
improvement for their competencies. El talento15 was
an attempt to recognize the hidden talents of Leos in
music, singing, dancing and drama and it is awakened their
aesthetic sense of mind.

I was challenged as a chairperson as I had a one month to

organize the event. As a district we had many district and
club activities at the beginning of the year and I had to plan
everything instead. Foremost task was selecting the team
and selecting the organizing clubs. Therefore it is considered
the best out of the best spirited Leos of A2. All supportive
teams worked together and it had lead towards success
of the event. Managing budget, Fundraising and smooth
event coordination were the main concerns. As a one team
we have achieved it. I have learnt that you do not need
larger groups when it is come to organizing an event if you
have people with right skills with right motivation they will
assist you to achieve your goal. That is the reason behind the
achievement of the show within short period of time.
The support of the Lions, parents and also sponsors was
tremendous with their valuable presence and donations. As
the chairperson I extend my heartiest gratitude to them.

There were many Leos behind the success of the show.it is not
EL TALENTO means The Talent in Spanish and the show was an individual achievement. It is the glory of the
themed accordingly. I believe it has become a memorable TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVE MORE!
title.

Surini Kumbukage
(Chairperson-El Talento15)

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

November
How do you feel about volunteering for community
service?
It has truly made a positive impact on my life. I gained
self esteem and confidence in myself. Knowing that you
can help someone that you don't know and impact
their lives in a positive manner makes a wonderful
heartwarming experience. I have learned so much from
the experience; it opened my eyes to the plight of others
and made me more responsible towards community
and family.
You were a Club President and have had a wide range
of experience in the Leo Movement, How would you
manage your personal life while giving your best to your
District?
LEO helps you gain leadership qualities like multi tasking,
management skills, Human resource management
etc. With time I certainly developed these skills in me
to maintain good balance between my personal life
andLeoism. Of course you have to take an extra mile
to pursue your passion. It gives you happiness and not
stress.
Where do you think LEO movement is, among the other

Leo Dipesh Doshi

Past District President 323 A2,India
In your view, what is a LEO?
For me Leoism is a platform where you get ample
opportunities to learn and develop yourself at the right
stage of your life. It provides you an experience which
you cannot obtain from a book or a college course.
What made you to join this movement?
Community Service, Self grooming and making new
friends was my initial motto of joining the movement.
I am delighted to share that I have gained all three.
What are the things you gained through the LEO

social service organizations in the world?

LEO is spread across 140 Countries having membership
strength more than 0.2 million active members certainly
shows its popularity and reach. Undoubtedly for me LEO
is the best platform for the youths.
What is your opinion about LEOS of Sri Lanka?
Leos of Sri Lanka rank among top 10 LEO membership
countries in the world. They perfectly define the motto of
Leoism. They are very Dedicated, Vibrant, Enthusiastic,
Passionate and equally well versed with the protocols
and constitutions of LEO. I have many Leo Friends in Sri
Lanka.I was fortunate to get an opportunity to meet and
interact with Leos of Sri Lanka on Youth exchange. Keep
serving the community. We are proud.

Interviewed by - Kulani Jayathilaka

movement?
I indulged myself into the world of Leoism where I got
the opportunities to realize the hidden talents within
me which have given me immense confidence.During
the 10 years of Leoism I have gained a lot and made
many friends across the world. Today I am known for
my marketing skills all over Leos and Lions of Multiple
323, the talent which I never knew about myself. It
improved my interpersonal and people management
skills which in turn helped me to be successful in
a business at the age of 25.I got the opportunity to
spread the smile and help others to grow in their life.
I Got to learn different things at different posts which
helped me in my personal life and also to serve better
in community.

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

November

Be A FORERUNNER
Be a FORERUNNER, a workshop organized by Leo Clubs of Polgasowita, Godigamuwa &
Rattanapitiya on 28th of November 2015 to help make our own leos emerge as flexible
personalities in the society. The project was held at Camilla School, Mattegoda with a
participation of around 22 leos and most of them were newly inducted individuals.

In recent times Leos tend to move apart from this interesting movement as they become
helpless when it comes to proper management of their life. Seeing this as a vulnerability to
both themselves and leo movement, Be a FORERUNNER was organized to let them gain
some valuable knowledge on how to lead a balanced lifestyle all by correctly engaging in
their academic activities and career routine. The Chief Guest of the occasion was Multiple
District President of Leo Multiple District 306, Leo Dumindu Jayakody and Past District President
Leo Kaneel Maddumage participated as our next main speaker of the occasion and both
of them conducted two useful sessions for our leos with exciting and interesting topics and
presentations which lead the audience to get an understanding on how they managed their
lifestyles while being engaged in leoism.
As our Guest Speakers, the founder of H3 Foundation-Hearts & Hands of Humanity
organization Mr. Sachinda Dulanjaya graced the event. He is also a Motivational Speaker,
Leadership Trainer, Young Social Worker & a Counsellor in profession. He emphasized our
leos on how to follow their dreams and make them blossom in the end if they follow the
reality with a proper vision. Also Mr. Lakshan Perera, Mr. Nilan Sajith Perera graced the event
from the same organization as our other guest speakers and they conducted their sessions
on how to be motivated to the mark you expect your life to be while being engaged in such
a useful movement which is leoism.
There were some musical sessions which they carried out which aided the leos to free up their
mindsets from any of the burdens they carried inside their minds.
The event was graced by the Imm.Past District President of Leo Dsitrict 306A2 Leo Chandima
Vithanage, District Vice President of Leo District 306A2, Leo Kesari Seneviratne MJF and Multiple
District 306 Vice President Leo Rajitha Abeygunasekara providing us the courage to enrich our
leos better.

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

November

swapna

What a blind person needs is not a teacher but another self

-Helen Keller
A blind person is the only person who can truly see. They frankly know what true love is, without the use of eyes, but with
the heart. And that is the truest form of love, and they harness it.
As international white cane day falls on 10th of November UOM Leos organized a project to visit "Shakthi" House,
Kamburupitiya on that day at 9.30 a.m. There were about 25 people. We offered tea with short eats for their morning
sessionand gave them gifts as their requisites. Although they are visually challenged, they have abilities to sing songs and
also play musical instruments. They told us about their lives but, unfortunately those stories were mingled with worries.
We tried to console them and we always highlighted that they are not alone in this world.
There were authentic smiles on their faces.We were also happy as the best feeling of happiness is when youre happy because
youve made someone else happy.Though they live with the images in their dreams, they can feel the nature very much. So,
kindness is the language which the blind can see.

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

LEOS

November

sinhawarjana

Sinhawarjana is an innovative, and

a timely project birthed by the
Leos of Piliyandala. The project, as
the Sinhalese meaning of the name
suggests, intends to reminisce the
memories of senior Lions and Leos
who have worked together with the
Leo District for the betterment of
Leoism.
If it was not for the hard work and the
dedication of those senior Lions and Leos,
the Leo District 306 A2 would not have
been able to achieve its magnificent
place in the Leoism of Sri Lanka today.
In fact, if it were not for time and effort of
those senior Lions and Leos to establish
Leoism, most of us would be strangers.
The Leos of Piliyandala set the project
in motion with Lion Noel Palliyaguru,
who,together with his son and PMDP
Leo Sadeepa Palliyaguru (then, a Vice
President of Leo District 306 A), laid
the foundation for Leo District 306 A2
surmounting many obstacles. Lion Noel
emphasized on the importance of staying
closer to the core values of Leoism. He
encouraged Leos not to let competition
get the best of fellowship amongst Leos.
Leos of Piliyandala, by spending an
evening with Lion Noel, tapped into the
valuableinsights and experience of Lion
Noel with regard to Leoism and about
life, with the hope of using those for
the betterment of Leoism. The output of
this project was a documentary video,
which also highlighted the creativity and
technical skills of Piliyandala Leos.

A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

LEO S

November

Let`s Follow

the Philosophy of Buddhism

Leos of Leo Club of Horana Metro organised this project with the objective of having an open conversation with the
buddhist monks about the present situation of Buddhism in srilanka. Though we are born as buddhists to the world,
just because our parents are buddhists , the new generations actually don't have a proper understanding of what real
buddhism is.
To further prove this fact we focussed on the growing trend of racism in the world that has even been controversial in
social medias recently as many of us know.
The main objective of this project was to discuss the loop holes in the knowledge of Buddhism people have. Therefore we
started our first session on the 20th of November at Patahawatta Viharaya from 7.00pm and we are planning to do
this as a continuous project making it a public event where people can actually gain some knowledge to think broadly
rather than having narrow thoughts in this society and leading to racist wars.

Upcoming Events
December 05 December 12 January 2,3 January 23
-

MADD Walk
The momentum
Piritha
Leo Parade 2016

Editors Note
So, it's all about being a Leo, enjoy being a Leo, and serve being a Leo. This really keeps us
going, making the spirit of Leoism more powerful.Proving the unmatchable, unique spirit of A2,
for this month's edition we've got a line up of two brilliant projects that our leos have marked a
success; Jeewana Yaathra 2015 and El Talento; the District Talent Show of the year, which we
had as an aim since the start of this leostic year.
We hope that our leos will maintain the momentum throughout; and also we would be able to
include some greater line up of projects in our next edition.

Editorial Panel
Leo District 306A2

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A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka

LEO S

November

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A Publication of Leo District 306A2 Sri Lanka