Written By : Rtr. Sandali Mendis

The 34^th Rotaract District Assembly was becoming a hot topic amongst the Rotaract crowd as the event drew closer, promising “The dawn of the era of a new kingdom” along with the crowning of the previous year’s achievements & their key players- who were eagerly awaiting their well-deserved recognition after a year of hard work on a rough sea, on which the ship they travelled on sailed only in one direction – service above self.

The Rotaract District Assembly is held annually for Rotaractors to mark the day of collaring the new District Rotaract Representative and the appointing of the District Steering Committee, who will be the one to guide all the Rotaract clubs under the RID 3220 – Sri Lanka & Maldives for the upcoming RI year. The day is always filled with nostalgia for the past, admiration of hard work & excitement for the future, as all the bright young leaders gather in one place to celebrate the old & the new, of community-based service within Rotaract.

The day was turned brighter with the theme for the year being set as “Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Future”, bringing to attention the importance & power that young people have embedded in them, to bring about true change in the world. The theme profoundly resonated with everybody, deeply inspiring the youth present at the event, to truly deliver service above self- not just for a better today, but for a much better tomorrow. The Assembly reached one of it’s highest points when the District Rotaract Representative for the RI year 2023-24, Rtr. PP Sathma Jayasinghe handed over RID 3220 to the new District Rotaract Representative for the RI year 2024-25, PHF. Rtr. PP Shanel Mendis, by the ceremonious collaring. Accordingly, the District Steering Committee for the RI year 2024-25 was duly appointed.

The day being special as it is, it was even more so for the Rotaractors of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, who emerged proud winners of a staggering number of awards, nominations and club recognitions – amazing all, but of course, not surprising many- since RACUSJ not only shone throughout the previous RI year, but had the incredible credentials & the mass of dedicated members to prove it, with the club now being in now in it’s 13^th completed year of service as well! RACUSJ was able to clinch 9 awards, was nominated for 4 awards, and had 4 recognitions within the club as well, generously surpassing the achievements of the previous year.

The following list of awards shows just how incredibly RACUSJ managed to make their mark as a club!

Top Award- Aspirational Club of the year 2023-24

Top Award- Aspirational Leader of the year 2023-24 – Rtr. Yezeed Yehiya

Gold Award- Most Outstanding Blog

Bronze award- Rise Up Sri Lanka 4.0- Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Initiative

Bronze award- Someone’s Daughter Vol.6- Most Outstanding Public Relations Initiative

Bronze award- Someone’s Daughter Vol.6- Most Innovative Public Relations Initiative

Bronze Award- Amigo 2.0- Best Novel Sports Initiative

Bronze Award- Sihina Iniman- Most Outstanding Cluster Project

Merit Award- Most Outstanding Newly Established Twin Club Agreement

We were nominated for the following awards :

Most Outstanding Inter-Zonal Initiative – Uni Three

Most Outstanding International Service Initiative- Literato Chapter 6

Most Outstanding Club Annual Report

Most Outstanding Club Service Initiative-Fellowship (internal)- Memorable December 4.0

The following recognition was received for our service :

Gold Distinction- Rotaract District Citation

Spirit of Service Award- Rtr. Nisal Dilmith

President of the Month (February)- Rtr. IPP Yezeed Yehiya

Secretary of the Month (January)- Rtr. Dinithi Sheyera

The 34^th Rotaract District Assembly was indeed an incredible day that showed all of us at RACUSJ that our efforts are being seen far and wide, and that the message we share with the world through our movement of youth led volunteerism, is one that creates ripples through the folds of this world & most definitely our country.

Carrying the torch of service- and with it, light to enlighten the lives of generations to come,

Viva la Rotaract!

Graphic Design By : Rtr. Akila Weerasuriya