The Toastmasters Club of Ceylinco Life has been awarded the prestigious ‘Golden Gavel’ by Toastmasters International in recognition of the progress of the club and its members.

Presented at an Ovation Ceremony in Chennai, the Golden Gavel is considered a significant achievement for a club in only its second year of existence.

This honour was bestowed on the Ceylinco Life Toastmasters Club in recognition of four Competent Communicator (CC) awards, two Competent Leadership (CL) awards and two Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) awards, won by its members in 2015-16.

The Ceylinco Life Toastmasters Club was inaugurated in September 2014 and was accorded ‘Distinguished’ status by Area E02, Division E, District 82, just one year after it received its charter from Toastmasters International.

“Our Toastmasters Club is relatively small, but the passion and enthusiasm of its members is exemplary and is the secret behind the Club’s rapid progress,” Ceylinco Life’s Deputy CEO Mr Thushara Ranasinghe said. “We encourage our staff to participate in any activity that builds self confidence and contributes to personal and professional development, and the Toastmasters Club is a good example.”

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development with a membership of more than 332,000. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 15,400 clubs in 135 countries that make up the global network of meeting locations. By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters programme.

Since its founding in October 1924, the organisation has helped more than four million men and women give presentations with poise and confidence. The communication and Leadership projects designed by Toastmasters International are devoted to the development of the art of speaking, listening and critical thinking among its members.

Independently rated one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable brands, Ceylinco Life has been the leader in the country’s long term insurance sector from 2004 onwards. The company operates the largest branch network among local life insurance companies, and has won multiple international and local awards for its commitment to the community and success in brand equity building.

Photo caption: Members of the Ceylinco Life Toastmasters Club with the Golden Gavel Award.