Sunday Times 2
Smedley celebrates 20 at installation
View(s):Smedley Toastmasters Club celebrated 20 years of producing speakers and leaders, and welcomed their new executive committee headed by Toastmaster (TM) Gayathri Liyanage.
At the installation held at Courtyard by Marriot on Friday (13), TM Liyanage said, “Whether you are a speaker, leader, creator, trainer, debater, editor, author, thinker, philosopher, Smedley is a family that will mentor you, support you and celebrate you through your journey”.
The new ex co: Gayathri Liyanage - President, Shehan Gunatilake - VP Education, Lakmini Wickramasinghe - VP Membership, Infas Irfan - VP Public Relations, Vindya Lankapura - Secretary, Amesh Jayathilake - Treasurer, Sahan Hewawidana - Sergeant-at-Arms, Isuri Jayawardena - Immediate Past President.
“Our theme, “It Begins with You,” means that greatness starts with that first step, that first speech, and it continues with every effort you make”.
In an achievement-filled history, the community club produced an international past president of the global movement in Balraj Arunasalam, whose mentee, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi, was crowned World Champion in Public Speaking. Another stalwart of the club, Sandun Fernando became the only dual title holder by winning both the Evaluation and Table Topic (Impromptu Speech contest).
The club, chartered by Rajive Goonetilake two decades ago, has had people from all-walks-of-life going through its doors and being transformed.
Those who discovered their hidden skills, have carried the club in speech competitions, consistently reaching the finals.
The night also saw an eagerly looked forward award of Outstanding TM of the year awarded to TM Shehan Gunatilake, a VP in the new team.