The Colombo Toastmasters' Club is the first to be founded in the South Asian Region, encompassing Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. For 28 years the Club has not only lived up to its promise of being a training ground for fledgling leaders to sharpen their public speaking skills in English but also leadership skills. The club has provided yeomen service to uplift the English public speaking skills of Sri Lankans through the aggressive growth of the Toastmasters' movement in India and Sri Lanka.

The club held its 28th Installation ceremony on Friday, July 8 at the Ceylon Continental Hotel , Colombo. The Chief Guest on this occasion was Mr. W.A. Wijewardena, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and M.Z. Saleem DTM, District Governor of District 82 of Toastmasters International was Guest of Honour. An after dinner speech was delivered by Mr. Danu Innasithamby, a popular radio and TV presenter who kept the audience entertained with his light hearted message on how to 'Speak your Language'.

Hussain Moosajee, CTM was installed as the 28th President of the club by Past District Governor Arunasalam Balraj, DTM. Other members of the executive committee who were also installed on this occasion were TM Nadeeka Jayathilaka (Vice President - Education), TM Nuwan Perera (Vice President - Membership), TM Pubudu de Zoysa (Vice President - Public Relations), TM Keith Raymond (Secretary), TM Hector Heiyanthuduwage (Treasurer) and TM Purnima Gunasekera (Sergeant-at-arms).

The President in his acceptance speech stressed on the vast potential for Toastmasters in this region, highlighting the need to have in place the twin ingredients of Communication and Leadership skills among the technical skills to meet the challenges seen in this growing economy. Further speaking he said The Colombo Toastmasters' Club since its inception and with 28 years of leadership and public speaking experience has taken a lead role to meet the needs of society, through many of its programmes namely, the much acclaimed Speechcraft programme for the corporate sector. The Youth Leadership programmes and the Champion Junior Speaker competition held for schoolchildren, helps in bringing out the talent of the hidden potential within them, while they also engage in competitive speaking. The All Island Best Speaker Competition open to all adults, is for them to showcase their talents in the art of Public Speaking. All of these programmes not only develop the speaking and organization skills of individuals, but is also a great platform to develop leadership skills.

The potential for economic growth in the economy is a window of opportunity for all businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals, and a great opportunity for the club to reach a wider cross section of the country, thus contributing towards the national development of the country. One of the first projects being carried out is a Youth Leadership programme for 50 children among six schools in the Nuwara-Eliya District. This is being done with the association of the Rotary Club of Colombo East, and the Sri Lanka India Community Council (SLICC).