Third official newsletter of Rotaract Club of SLIIT

1. bits and bytes from RCSLIIT
www.rotaractsliit.org

2. “Your life is a canvas; make sure you paint yourself a whole lot of colorful days”
Editors (2013/14)
Rtr. Ridmi Jayasena
Rtr. Hasini Pulara

3. micizia 2.0” was a memorable
project, which was organized by
Rtr. Pandula Paranagama with
the support of other
Rotaractors. This took place on 24th
January
2014. It was a project that comes under
International Understanding conducted for
the second successful time. Amicizia 1.0
took place last year, where we invited all the
foreign students who are currently studying
at SLIIT.
Amicizia 2.0” took place in one of our
lecture halls with the presence of Dr.
Mahesha Kapurubandara, Ms. Antoinette
Hettiaratchi, Ms. Nimalika Fernando, Rtn.
Major. General Susil Chandrapala, Past
District Governor Rtn. Gehan Siribaddana
and Rtn. Sri Kandasamy. For the second
phase, we extended our audience by inviting
some AISEC volunteers along with our fellow
foreign students to join us. The members of
RCSLIIT as well as some of the foreign
students wore traditional wear that
represent the various cultures.
Even though we served them with many
traditional sweet meats, the most
excitement lay with the plain tea (black tea)
we served in coconut shells with hakuru
(jaggery).
We let the foreign students share
information about their motherlands with
the audience. The presentations included
with some interesting videos about their
countries, which were interesting enough to
grab the attention of the participants. We
had students from Nigeria, China, Russia,
Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Maldives.
As for the guest speaker, we had Rtr. Adam
Thaha of Rotaract Club of Fort, who did a
great job conducting a session to educate
those foreign individuals about Sri Lanka.
Afterwards we had an interactive session
where we them into teams with local
students and asked them to come up with a
creative dress with the resources provided.
They actually came up with some interesting
creations at the end. It was fun getting along
with each other and listening to the things
that they had to share. I am convinced that
it was a great opportunity for all of us to
renew our relationships with them.
“A

5. Conflict is part of daily life, and we all have to
learn to deal with it. The skill lies in how you
deal with it. Sadly, even though the word
“conflict” is in the mind and tip of most Sri
Lankan tongues most of them do not
understand the meaning of the word and how
to manage it? With great support from our
parent club (Battaramulla Rotary Club), we
were able to arrange a seminar on Conflict
Resolution, which included eminent speakers
Mr. Asanga Abayagoonasekera, Mr. Indika
Perera and Rtn. Dayani Panagoda. This was
held on 27th
January 2014, with the presence
of Rtn. Major Susil Chandrapala (President,
Battaramulla Rotary Club), Rtn. Sri Kandasamy
(Youth Adviser, Battaramulla Rotary Club),
Ms. Antoinette Hettiaratchi and with the
participation of more than hundred students
who are currently studying at SLIIT.
I make this an opportunity to thank our
beloved Rotarians for placing their faith in us
and giving us the honor of hosting such an
event and all guest speakers for their valuable
time and advice. It was indeed a great and a
rare opportunity to be there and listen to
those speeches as they explained clearly what
a conflict is, how conflicts occur, and what we
should and should not do in such situations.
We were also alerted to the way each
individuals mind is programmed to respond to
situations, is different. For instance, some
individuals when angry would use foul
language while others in a similar situation
would manage their tongue effectively.
Conflict does not discriminate! It exists within
our family, relatives, community, colleagues
and, in situations of extreme violence and civil
war. Over one hundred students listened and
interacted with the speakers. They left the
seminar knowing that conflict is healthy and
enables mankind to be progressive. The youth
of SLIIT were equipped with tried and tested
methods of conflict resolution used by wise,
experienced people all over the world to
transform the conflicts they face into
opportunities.

7. .
We finally saw the end of the first ever project
we undertook as Rotaractors, which is Care to
Share. The next major task was to find a
school to donate those books. This was
handed over to one of the many skillful
members of the club Rtr. Shaminda. His team
(Rtr. Thushara, Rtr. Chanka, Rtr. Kavinda, Rtr.
Chathusha and Rtr. Wimarasha) and he did a
great job finding the school, doing necessary
arrangements with the school, and
conducting the event successfully. It was
indeed a pleasure seeing the members taking
responsibilities and giving it their 110%. I
make this an opportunity to congratulate
them on the job well done.
We chose Sir John Kotelawala Maha Vidyalya,
Piliyandala to donate books, as the school
library did not have sufficient number of
books for the children. This school was
founded on February 6, 1980. It was a school
having around 700 students from Grade 1 to
Grade 13. The present Principal of the school
is Mrs. W. Ramayalatha, who gave us an
enormous support to make this event a
success.
The event took place on 07th
March 2014,
with the participation of around 20
Rotaractors. This was a completely new
experience for each one of us to sit in front of
a school as they were applauding and
appreciating our effort to do good to the
society. We went back to our school days
while sitting on the stage looking at those
smiling faces of the students.
I personally believe that we set those children
a good exemple as to they do not have to
have a fortune to serve the community, if you
have the desire you will always find a way.

9. Another event, which was successfully
completed with loads of new experiences and
knowledge. This workshop was initially
suggested to share the knowledge that one of
the members had from her experience as a
girl guide. Then she took the responsibility to
bring in resource persons to conduct the
session to provide the fellow Rotaractors with
adequate knowledge.
With her invitation, we were lucky enough to
spend even a couple of hours with the
amazing personalities Mrs. L.G. Jayaweera
who was an experienced trainer at Sri Lanka
Saukyadana Foundation and Mrs. Pushpa
Perera, the teacher in charge of girl guides at
Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 08.
The participants enjoyed throughout the
session as the speaker shared many
interesting stories form her experience and
was assigned with tasks and activities. In this
session, they made us aware of what to do
and what not to do in case of an emergency
with many possible scenarios, how to tie a
bandage, or how to treat a fracture and so
many other things. The crowd had so much
fun as well as knowledge.

11. The much-awaited event of all members of
the RCSLIIT finally became a reality. Rtr. Lahiru
had discussed with the management of the
hospital and set the dates for the event on
28th
March, 2014. The Management of the
SuwaNetha Eye Hospital (PHSRC/PH/186) was
very supportive throughout the project.
The focus of this project was to provide the
financial support for those patients who are in
need of getting the Cataract operation done
but who do not have the financial ability. We
sponsored 10 such patients to do their
Cataract Operation with the funds we raised
by selling tickets among our families and
friends and with the kind donations from our
academic staff at SLIIT and the Rotarians of
Rotary Club of Battaramulla.
While the operations are going on, we
waited outside and did some interactive
activities to build up communication and
camaraderie among the members and to
keep them occupied till the operations
were completed. It was very effective as
there were some new faces present at
the event and the members do not have
many chances to get along with others
apart from their friends other than the
club meetings. The day ended with loads
of memories, new friendships and
experiences. Staff advisor Ms. Antoinette
Hettiaratchy and Senior Lecturer Mr.
Jagath Wickramaratne were also present,
and gladly watched the interaction among
the rotaractors.
About 40 members joined hand in hand with
us to make this event a success from the very
beginning. I take this opportunity to thank
them all and congratulate the chair on the
successful completion of the project.
“Sightaract - to change a life within our
capabilities”

12. All set for the big day

13. At the operating theater

14. Making every passing minute count...

15. All members gathered at Mc. Donald’s,
Rajagiriya. It was a Club Services project
completed with the participation of around 40
members, we had loads of fun at the party
area having mini chats over burgers.
The area was filled with so much of chitchats,
gossips, photo posing, balloons and more
importantly with laughter.
We spent around 1 hour there with so much
of things going on. The evening was been
made up of fun events like balloon dancing
and much more.
The day ended with loads of memories for
every single one of us and I think Burger out
was the perfect way to end such a great day.
With this outing, we completed such a
wonderful day.

20. For January
Thilini Kanchana
Chathu Jayasooriya
Kavinda Bandulasena
For February
Thushara Ravishanka
Chanaka Palliyaguru
Chathusha Weerakoon
For March
Nimesha Guruge
Nuzheth Hashim
Wimarsha Madhubashana

21. I
My favorite
Color: changes from day to day... today it feels like a red day
Food: umm cannot really choose one. Anything that is sweet,
fried or roasted
Drink: cold water
Music: green day (Punk Rock)
Person: Paul P. Harris for starting this great movement
Book: the last book I read (11/23/63 by Stephan King)
Movie: Ratatouille
Place: any beach
Outfit: tee shirt and jeans with slippers
Friend: not one, the whole Rotaract family
Role Model: Mickey Mouse
Line: (really don’t have one)

23.  To the Managing Director, SLIIT
Professor Lalith Gamage (B.Sc. Eng. Moratuwa, PhD. Br. Col.)
 To all the Deans of SLIIT
o Dr. Malitha N. Wijesundara (BEng (Hons) Warwick, PhD. NUS, MIEEE)
Dean/Faculty of Computing & Senior Lecturer (HG)
o Dr. Koliya Pulasinghe (BSc. Eng (Hons) Moratuwa, PhD. Saga, MIET, MIEEE, AMIE
(SL)) Dean/Faculty of Graduate Studies & Senior Lecturer (HG)
o Dr. Mahesha Kapurubandara (BSc. Colombo, MSc Comp.Sc. AIT, PhD Australia)
Dean International & Senior Lecturer (HG)
o Dr. Theekshana Suraweera (BSc. (Hons) Sri J. ,MSc ,MBA, PhD. New Zealand)
Dean/Faculty of Business & Senior Lecturer (HG)
o Professor T. Ashok Peiris (BSc.(Hons) Moratuwa, D.Eng Japan, DIC &MSc.UK)
Dean/Faculty of Engineering & Professor
 To the Rotary Club of Battaramulla for being the most supportive Parent Club of all.
o President Rtn. Major. General Susil Chandrapala
o Past District Governor Rtn. Gehan Siribaddana
o Youth Adviser Rtn. Sri Kandasamy
o Secretary Rtn. Taniya Weerasooriya
o Rtn. Channa Marambe

24.  To the Department Heads of SLIIT
o Mr. Nuwan Kodagoda
Head/Department of Information Technology & Senior Lecturer (HG)
o Dr. Samantha Thelijjagoda
Head/Department of Information Management & Senior Lecturer (HG)
o Dr. Shiromi Karunaratne
Head/Electrical & Computer Engineering, Senior Lecturer (HG)
 To Lecturers-in-Charge of Rotaract Club of SLIIT for being our Inspiration, strength and
for keeping us going.
o Senior Lecturer Ms. Antoinette Hettiaratchy
o Senior Lecturer Ms. Nimalika Fernando
 To Mr. Jagath Wickramarathne (Senior Lecturer- SLIIT) for his valuable time and support.
 To all Rotaractors who were there for us in our need and for being our strength.
 To non Rotaractors who helped us in many ways to make all our events a success.
 To Family and Friends