The Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura (RACUSJ) was chartered on the 1st of September 2011 and is currently stands as one of the largest Rotaract clubs in the Rotaract in Rotary International District 3220. This year, RACUSJ’s passion for service and excellence is driven by the Rotary theme “Imagine Rotary” for the RI Year 2022-23, and the theme of Rotaract in RID 3220 (Sri Lanka & Maldives) “Learn, Serve and Strive” for the RI Year 2022-23 as well as the club theme, “Lead to Sustain, Lead to Inspire” for the RI Year 2022-23.

RACUSJ organizes diverse projects that have progressed from basic social projects, into higher-level professional events, aligned to develop soft skills required by the Rotaract members to survive in an ever-loving competitive work environment. Members of RACUSJ are inspired to use their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on global issues regarding sustaining all life forms on Earth.

With the spark that was ignited eleven years ago, RACUSJ has never looked back but at the future. If taken one step back, it was always three steps forward. Also, the journey of RACUSJ has never been a bed of roses. With its growing membership so were the gravity of the responsibilities and duties. Without the outstanding leadership and guidance of the past leaders as well as the support of the university administration, RACUSJ will not be there at its present stance. Here’s a look at the Presidents and Secretaries who have contributed to what we witness as RACUSJ today.

RI Year 2011-12

Charter President – Rtr. PP Asiri Weliwatte
Secretary – Rtr. Anupama Gunathileke

RI Year 2012-13

President – Rtr. PP Devin Jayasundara
Secretary – Rtr. Paatala Fernando

RI Year 2013-14

President – Rtr. PP Saroj Somarathne
Secretary – Rtr. Asela Wijerathna

RI Year 2014-15

President – Rtr. PP Ranisha Weerakoon
Joint Secretaries – Rtr. Danesha Liyanage, Rtr. Samindi Wasana

RI Year 2015-16

President – Rtr. PP Abdul Baasit
Joint Secretaries – Rtr. Ishani Karunadasa, Rtr. Jinandi Chathurya

RI Year 2016-17

President – Rtr. PP Osanda Wijesundara
Secretary – Rtr. Dinika Kumarage

RI Year 2017-18

President – Rtr. PP Samudya Amarasinghe
Secretary – Rtr. Divya Kalansuriya

RI Year 2018-19

President – Rtr. PP Oshani Singapuliarachchi
Secretary – Rtr. Saranga Madurusinghe

RI Year 2019-20

President – Rtn. Rtr. PP Vidushith Jayasundara
Secretary – Rtr. Dulani Bandulahewa

RI Year 2020-21

President – Rtn. Rtr. PP Amasha Sirimanna
Secretary – Rtr. Zaina Sallay

RI Year 2021-22

President – Rtr. IPP Minushi De Silva
Secretary – Rtr. Rukshini Gomis

RI Year 2022-23

President – Rtr. Madushan Dananjaya
Secretary – Rtr. Gagani Gunasinghe

Adding much more pride to the club’s image, Rtr. PP Ranisha Weerakoon; the first-ever female president of the club, became the first member to serve as the Secretary in the Rotaract District Steering Committee for the RI year 2015-16. Not stopping there, Rtr. PP Abdul Baasit Sathar was recognized as the Most Outstanding President of the Year and was also presented the Rotaract Lifetime Achievement Award in the RI year 2018-19. Bringing even more glamour to the club, Rtn. Rtr. PP Vidushith Jayasundara; president for the RI year 2019-20, was appointed to the District Executive Committee as the Treasurer for the RI year 2022-23.

RACUSJ has been recognized for stepping up to make an impact and received awards as an acknowledgement for the contribution made towards the community. The club has been awarded the winner multiple times in the Rotaract District Conferences for being exceptional in serving humankind and creating a better future for all living beings.

The signature projects carried out by the club are Someone’s Daughter; a project organized by the Public Relations Committee that aims at creating a countervailing force against violence against women in every corner of the world, especially in the Sri Lankan context and empowering women to be socially accepted and economically independent whilst addressing some of the most debilitating causes for women to feel inferior, Butterfly effect; a project carried out by the Community Service Avenue that aims to further improve the mental wellbeing of the citizens in Sri Lanka, Rise Up Sri Lanka; a project carried out annually by the Community Service Avenue that aims to promote peace and harmony by dispersing the knowledge of the act of accepting all religions and nationalities that co-exist in Sri Lanka, Youth Entrepreneurship Summit; a project organized by the Professional Development Avenue that creates a perfect platform for all young and energetic entrepreneurs out there by giving them an invaluable opportunity to expand their businesses all around the world, and last but not least, I’M A ROTARACTOR; the most exhilarating quarterly project organized by the Club Service Avenue in collaboration with the Membership Development Committee that aims at spreading awareness regarding Rotaract including the benefits of being a part of this amazing movement pertaining to one’s life, career and their future as a whole. Apart from that there are several other notable and emerging projects such as Diwiyata Diwiyak, Growing Green, Aquatica, 4-Score, and Literato.

As an institute-based Rotaract Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Battaramulla, we take pride in the achievements of our past milestones. Following are the notable achievements of RACUSJ till now.

RI Year 2011-12

Recognized as one of the best Charter clubs of the Rotaract District 3220.

RI Year 2012-13

Most Outstanding Fund Raising and Finance Project of the Year – “Bach to Beatles”
Received the Rotary International Citation for the first time in the club’s history.

RI Year 2013-14

Most Outstanding Community Service Initiative – Silver Award: “Nethu Dahasak”

RI Year 2014-15

Most Outstanding Club Service Initiative – Bronze Award: “I Sea You”

RI Year 2015-16

Most Supportive Club – Gold Award
Most Participative Club – Gold Award
Most Outstanding President – Rtr. PP Abdul Baasit

RI Year 2016-17

Best Resource Utilization – Future Leaders Classroom (Cluster Project)

RI Year 2017-18

Most Outstanding Special Project (Mental Health) – Gold Award: “Butterfly Effect”

RI Year 2018-19

Most Impactful Cluster Initiative – “Thaneer”
Best Project for Youth Service – “Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2019”
Rotaract Lifetime Achievement Award – Rtr. PP Abdul Baasit
Most Outstanding International Understanding Project of the Year – Gold Award: “Literato’19”

RI Year 2019-20

Most Outstanding Secretary of the Year – Rtr. Dulani Bandulahewa
Most Outstanding Social Media Campaign – Gold Award: “Someone’s Daughter”
Most Outstanding International Understanding Project – Silver Award: “Literato’20”
Most Outstanding Cluster Initiative – Silver Award: “Altitude”
Best Emerging Rotaract Club of the Year
Received the Rotaract District Citation and Rotary Citation for the Year 2019-20

RI Year 2020-21

Most Outstanding Initiative in line with the Rotary Focus Areas and District Focus Areas: Peace and
Conflict Resolution – Gold Award: “Rise Up Sri Lanka”
Most Outstanding Initiative in line with the Rotary Focus Areas and District Focus Areas: Mental
Health and Wellbeing – Gold Award: “Butterfly Effect 3.0”
Most Outstanding Public Image Initiative – Gold Award: “Someone’s Daughter Volume 3”
Most Outstanding Club Service Initiative (Virtual) – Gold Award: “A Memorable December”
Most Outstanding Club for Overall Public Relations Effort – Silver Award
Most Outstanding Initiative in line with Rotary Focus Areas and District Focus Areas; Economic and
Community Development – Silver Award: “For Them to Blossom 3.0”
Most Outstanding Inter-Regional Fellowship Initiative – Silver Award: “E-buddy Network 2.0”
Most outstanding Initiative in line with the District Year Theme “Strive as One” – Bronze Award: “E-buddy Network 2.0”

RI Year 2021-22

Most Outstanding External Partnership-based Initiative – Gold Award: “Youth Entrepreneurship Summit’22”
Most Outstanding Overall Public Image Effort – Bronze Award
Most Outstanding Public Image Initiative (For Institute-based Clubs) – Bronze Award: “Someone’s Daughter Volume 4”
Most Outstanding E-sports Initiative – Bronze Award: “Respawn 2.0”
Most Innovative International Service Initiative – Bronze Award: “Heal the World”
Most Outstanding Initiative in line with the Rotary Focus Area: Peace Building and Conflict Prevention – Bronze Award: “Rise Up Sri Lanka 2.0”

It is clearly proven from the above achievements, that RACUSJ is deeply rooted in our community through service and fellowship. As a breeding ground for competent young leaders in the nation, RACUSJ strives forward and is on a continuous journey to make this world a better place for everyone to live in. Here’s to many more milestones, thinkers, dreamers, and visionaries who value friendship and duty over all other materialistic ideals.

Written by: Rtr. Isuruni Chandrarathne & Rtr. Malithi Fernando

Graphic design by: Rtr. Tharushi Nadunika & Rtr. Rashmika Budunwela