The annual installation ceremony of our club was successfully held on the 21st of July. A new board of directors headed by the President, Rtr. Sathma Jayasinghe was appointed for the year 2019-20. This was a much-awaited moment for obviously the incoming president and the new board of directors.

The ceremony commenced at 6:30 pm at the CIMA Auditorium, CIMA division. It started off with the lighting of the beautifully decorated oil lamp by the dignitaries present in the evening following the welcome address delivered by the project chairpersons, Rtr. Hashini Wickramasuriya and Rtr. Niflaz Nuhuman.

The outgoing secretary’s (Rtr. Sathma Jayasinghe) annual report for the year ended showed us the remarkable projects the club has completed throughout the year. The presentation about these projects showed us about the many lives Rotaract had touched and the many smiles Rotaract had built. Proving that not only does Rotaract help develop surroundings of one but also helps to improve themselves through the journey. Thus describing the theme for the year ‘To avail and thrive’.

Amidst all the fun and laughter was the hard work that proved these projects to be the best of the best. Thus, she also stated that most of these projects received awards during the previously held Rotaract District Assembly.

Following this was the address by the outgoing president, Rtr. IPP Hamdhan Sulaiman. Amidst sharing the treasured memories of the club in the past Rotaract year, he thanked his wonderful board, friends, and family for sticking by him through thick and thin. He showed that Rotaract is not always about the award-winning projects but it is about the journey to those achievements with the ones you cherish.

Then came the introduction of the Incoming President, Rtr. Sathma, by her very own brother, which was kept as a secret from her until the ceremony. After an emotional yet memorable speech, the incoming president, Rtr. Sathma Jayasinghe was collared as the President for the year 2019-20.

Followed by the introduction of the board of directors through eye-catching presentations was the address by the District Rotaract Representative, Rtr. PP Krishan Balaji. He spoke well of the club’s achievements and stated that they had picked his favorite color, purple to gain points. Many more dignitaries share their thoughts about this evening and even included their own experiences about the journey of Rotaract.

Felicitations were given by fellow Rotaractors, Interactors, friends, and family. Many fellow Rotaractors who are also ‘proud Visakians’ assured the fact that the incoming president will continue to do a great job just as she did as secretary. Felicitations were full of laughter with all of them coming up to the podium and saying ‘#proudVisakians’ and how the guys tackled it at the end by taking the podium to say how proud they are about their schools as well. The hour-long amount of felicitations assured how much Rtr. IPP Hamadhan’s work had made an impact on Rotaract world and how much more it is expecting from Rtr. President Sathma to do in her year.

Last but not the least the vote of thanks was delivered by Rtr. Thisura Ramanayake, secretary for the years 2019-20 concluding the events of the ceremony but beginning another year of continuing the love, laughter, and life that Rotaract gives to the community. VIVA-LA-ROTARACT.

Rtr. Suwithi Karunasekara

Photographs courtesy of Charaka Welihinda Photography