Rotary District 3220, in line with their efforts towards a polio free Sri Lanka, recently announced their celebrations of being the 1st South East Asian country to be polio free.

‘Light Up Rotary,’ organized by the Rotary Club of Colombo Down-Town, was a fellowship and fund raising event held in order to create awareness and educate people on the success story of the eradication of polio from Sri Lanka along with a night cycle rally which was the first of its kind. This event attracted over 300 Rotarians, Rotractors, Interactors and Cycling Enthusiasts including the current Rotary club presidents in Sri Lanka. The event coincided with the visit of the chief guest of the evening, Mr. Gary Huang - President Rotary International to Sri Lanka after 5 years as well as MR KR Ravindran the President Elect of Rotary International.

“It is with great joy and happiness that I would like to state that Rotary Sri Lanka in collaboration with Rotary international was able to raise over US$ 2 million to support the eradication of Polio from Sri Lanka over the last to two decades. ‘Light Up Rotary’ was a way of us contributing towards society and our hearts will always be tuned into reaching out to them. The presence of Mr. Gary Huang is greatly valued amongst us Rotarians and we look forward to achieve success in coming years,” said Ms. Gowri Rajan, District Governor of Rotary Sri Lanka.

The highlight of the event was the lighting of Rotary flame which is currently been taken around the world and was also a part of the rally to signify the eradication of polio in Sri Lanka.

GlaxoSmithKline, Cannon, Metropolitan, NDB Bank, and Ginsomin powered the occasion as Principal sponsors while Gekko Trekko, Giant Lumala and Pro Bike acted as co-sponsors. The event was partnered by Triad, E FM, Wroom, Laksala, Event Productions and the Pedal Pushers.All proceeds will be contributed to ‘The Rotary Foundation’, which empower Rotarians around the world including Sri Lanka, to do service to society.

Photo caption: President - Rotary International Mr. Gary Huang