After five long months post-lockdown, the dynamic Colombo Toastmasters Club met to commemorate a brand new Toastmasters year.

The 37th Presidential Installation Ceremony of the club was held on the 2nd of August at Hotel Galadari, Colombo adhering to the health guidelines issued for the prevention of Covid-19 by the Government.

The oldest club in South Asia, chartered in 1983, The Colombo Toastmasters Club installed its new executive committee for the year 2020/2021 at this ceremony.

Toastmaster Viruli de Silva was installed as the 37th President of the club.

The rest of the committee comprises of TM Layan Wijegunaratne as the Vice President Education, TM Shyamalie Jayasekera as the Vice President Membership, TM Ashinsanie Weerasinghe as the Vice President Public Relations, TM Shashikala Wanigasinghe as the Secretary, TM Thushan Mahagedara as the Treasurer, TM Rasika Amarasinghe as Sergeant-at-Arms and TM Vinodini Durgabakshi as the Immediate Past President.

The committee was installed by the Installation Officer, Immediate Past District Director of District 82 – DTM Sarmaa Mahalingam, who is also a long-standing member and a past president of the club.

The Chief Guest, Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri - Director and Chairman of the Board of Management, Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), Sri Jayewardenepura and Guest of Honour, Distinguished Toastmaster Arunasalam Balraj - Toastmasters International President 2017/2018 graced the occasion.

Prof. Dharmasiri being an excellent public speaker himself, delivered his speech on "Enhancing Leadership Excellence" with enthusiasm stating how leadership is not about titles but about the work you do. And DTM Balraj as an expert in communication skills mentioned during his speech how important it is to identify different communication styles of different individuals without

sticking to your own ways as a leader and he also stated how the Toastmasters movement can truly change someone’s life for the better.

Toastmaster Vinodini Durgabakshi, as the outgoing President delivered her final Presidential speech filled with pride and emotion. She spoke joyfully of her tenure as President and the lessons she learnt during the turbulent times of a global pandemic. She thanked her Executive Committee for being a pillar of strength and carrying out their duties as an excellent team. The crowd saluted her for her excellent tenure as President.

Toastmaster Vinodini recognized TM Rameshkumar Karuppiah, TM Layan Wijegunerathe and TM Shashikala Wanigasinghe for their achievements during the year 2019/2020.

Toastmaster Shyamalie Jayasekera was awarded the prestigious Toastmaster of the year 2019/2020 award. She was awarded by the Charter Member of the Club, ATM Haleem Ghouse.

Toastmaster Viruli de Silva delivered her maiden speech as the President of the year 2020/2021 of the Club highlighting the mammoth task of carrying forward the traditions and best practices of the oldest club in South Asia and how Toastmasters has shaped her to become the person who she is today.

The event was attended by the District 82 officials, invitees and the members of The Colombo Toastmasters Club and post official proceedings the night continued with delicious Sri Lankan Hoppers, lovely camaraderie and great conversations.

37^th President Viruli De Silva

Photo - 2020/21 Executive Committee with Chief Guest Professor Ajanatha Dharmasiri, Guest of Honor Toastmasters International Past President Mr Arunasalam Balaraj and The Colombo Toastmasters Club Charter Member Haleem Ghouse.