Sunday Times 2
Round Table International world meeting to be held In Sri Lanka
View(s):Round Table Sri Lanka (RTSL) has won the bid to host the Round Table International (RTI) world meeting in 2018 from September 5-9, the group’s members said at a news conference attended by Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga.
The world meeting will have more than 500 delegates from 45 countries. RTSL has chosen Negombo as the location for the event and have partnered with Jetwing Hotels for accommodation, with George Steuarts Holidays being the travel partners. The delegates will be visiting Wilpattu, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Sigiriya and Dambulla as part of a tour showcasing the history, culture and natural beauty of Sri Lanka.
The group said that hosting a major international event of this magnitude will raise the profile of Round Table in Sri Lanka and help the organisation grow and spread its ideals to cities all over the island. The group’s ultimate goal is to develop understanding and fellowship across the different cultures, races and religions in Sri Lanka.
Round Table was formed in Norwich, England in 1927 and rapidly spread throughout the world. Round Table Sri Lanka was set up in 1993 under the auspices of the then President J.R. Jayewardene. Round Table is a non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian organisation for young men. Through their motto ‘Adopt, Adapt, Improve’, Round Table cultivates the highest ideals, business, professional and civic traditions and aims to develop the fellowship of young men through community service and business activities. Current membership stands at more than 35,000 across 45 countries worldwide.
The RTI World Meeting is the most important event in the RTI calendar. It is an annual four-day conference for delegates from 45 countries to discuss, plan and exchange ideas. RTSL came into the spotlight during the 2004 tsunami by mobilising its international network to raise more than US$ 2.4 million. These funds were utilised for immediate relief in affected areas and later to rebuild schools and homes.
Since then community service has been an important part of RTSL. Its projects of note include:
1. Funding the Emerge Centre for the social reintegration of abused girls
2. Tying up with Asiri Surgical Hospital to conduct surgery for children with Hole in the Heart conditions
3. Setting up a resource centre in Kilinochchi for children with cerebral palsy
4. Funding the Heroes resource centre for children affected by autism