Serendib Toastmasters' Club held its installation ceremony of club officers for 2010/2011 on Wednesday, August 4 at the Sasakawa Auditorium, Colombo 3.The Chief Guest was Mr Samantha Ranatunga, CEO/MD of Chemical Industries (Colombo) Ltd and the Guest of Honour LGET-TM. M Z Saleem.

The following officers for 2010/2011 were installed by Toastmaster Kapila Bandara, the Division Governor Area A. President: Rohan Dias CC, CL, VP Education: Nishantha Hewavitharan CC,VP Membership: Sonia Vitarana CC, VP Public Relations: Rohan De Silva, Secretary: Rubanthini Kanagalingam CC, Treasurer: Sandun Liyanapathirana CC, Sergeant at Arms: Wasantha Jeewandara, Immediate Past President: K. Chandrasekaran CC, CL. The Master of Ceremonies was Toastmaster Priyanga Hapugalla and the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Toastmaster Udaya Nissanka.

Serendib Toastmasters' Club was chartered in 2004. In the years 2005/2006, 2006/2007, the Club secured Distinguished Club Status whilst in 2007/ 2008 and 2008/2009 achieved the President's Distinguished Club Status, the highest award a club could receive. The club received the Select Distinguished Status in 2010-2011. The club has also produced winners in district and international speech contests.

The club is an open club which is friendly and helps individuals to develop their communication and leadership skills. The members are from different walks of life from entrepreneurs, directors, engineers and school leavers. The club holds its educational meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at the National Chamber of Exporters, 160/2 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 at 6 pm .The website for the club is: http://serendib.freetoasthost.org.

In addition to the regular club activities, Serendib Toastmasters' Club is involved in training students which will enable them to meet the challenges of the outside world when they leave school. Serendib is having an on going Youth Leadership Programme at Royal College and are currently training the 7 th batch of students.

Toastmasters provide leadership and communication training that is less expensive and is held in high esteem in business circles. Toastmasters International has been around for more than 85 years and offers a proven and enjoyable way to practise and master communication and leadership skills.

Sonia Vitarana (0774 939 425) or Rohan de Silva (0712 722 106) can be contacted for further information on the club activities and membership.