Back in 2022, I joined the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya without the slightest clue about what it really was. I was what you’d call a professional ghost member, quiet and completely invisible. 😶‍🌫️ But then one day, completely out of the blue, I got asked to be the Secretary of a project called “Take a Stand” under RotaTomorrow 3.0 competition. Little did I know, that this random project would kickstart my real Rotaract journey.

From that point on, things started to shift. For the 2023–24 term, the then Club Service Director asked me to join the Club Service Avenue. And guess what? I was handed the massive responsibility of chairing the 14th Installation Ceremony. At first, I was a bit hesitant, but in the end, I accepted the challenge and pulled it off! That moment was a true turning point. It gave me the confidence to take on more, and after that I was also appointed as a Team Leader for the Club Service avenue for the 2023-24 term.

From Christinzel ‘23, Rotrallia 2023, Career Fair 2024, to RotaTomorrow 4.0 (my absolute favorite! 😌), I had the chance to be a part of some amazing projects. Each one taught me something new and added tiny sparks of joy and growth to my life. I saw us aim high, stumble, bounce back, and celebrate wins together. And in the midst of all that, I found something even more valuable, some really beautiful friendships.

After that year, I actually thought about ending my Rotaract journey. I felt like I’d done my part, and it was time to step aside. But then came a request from Vihanga aiya. And well… you know how convincing he can be. 🥲 So, I decided to apply again, but this time for something I’d always secretly loved, the editorial. I applied for the post of the Senior Editor.

And now… here I am. Senior Editor of the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya. 

From that moment on, my Rotaract life took a whole new direction. The responsibilities were huge and I honestly felt like the busiest person on the planet! 🫠

At times, I doubted whether I could really do it. But I had the best team anyone could ask for.

To my amazing co-editors, Dilushi, Deepna, and Janooshikaa, and our team leaders, Himangi, Zamra, Savindi, and Dilki, not forgetting our sweet Assistant Secretary, Delishia, thank you for being my rockstars. 💕 None of this would have been possible without you. I mean it, nothing!

From approving thousands of captions, letters and proposals all throughout the day, editing four editions of our newsletter, Chronicle, to handling over 275 blog articles, we did it. Together.

But the biggest mountain was our one and only project, Writing Maze 2.0. As the busiest avenue in the club, managing a large-scale project wasn’t easy. But somehow, we pulled it off. With 25 talented writers from 7 Rotaract clubs including the District Steering Committee and 2 Interact clubs, we published the beautiful short story collection “The Maze of Tenfold Tales.” And our first batch of books sold out right before the launching ceremony! We donated a huge sum to Vidyasadhaka Maha Vidyalaya, Wattala to develop its library, and it felt like the perfect way to give back. 🪶✨

And also our project was recognized as the Most Outstanding Club Service Initiative at the TURF awards organized by the South East Asian Rotaract Information Center (SEARIC). Big shoutout to the OC led by Rtr. Chenuri, you made it happen!

And the cherry on top of my Rotaract journey, I was awarded as the Most Outstanding Director of the Year. It was something I never even dreamed of and I owe a heartfelt thank you to every single soul who walked this journey with me.

The journey wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were late nights, stressful deadlines, mini breakdowns, and moments when we wanted to give up. But there were also laughter, warm hugs, and victories that made it all worth it. We cried, we smiled, and we survived!

I owe a big thank you to the former editors of the club and also Roshan aiya, Vihanga aiya, Akshana akka, Disandi, Lanka akka and everyone who supported me throughout this journey.

And of course, I can’t forget the ones who’ve been there for me since day one, Dhanika aiya, Daran, and especially Adeesha. It was their support that kept me grounded and moving forward throughout this crazy, beautiful ride.

Now, as I near the end of this unforgettable journey, my heart feels full. A little proud. A little emotional. And I literally have no idea how life without Rotaract might look like. These past three years have shaped me into someone I never thought I could become. Stronger, kinder, and most importantly, more confident.

Rotaract wasn’t just an extracurricular. It was a whole universe that gave me strength I never knew I had. So, here’s to the late nights, the laughter, the tears, the chaos, the friends-turned-family, and to a version of me who dared to say yes, even when she had no clue what she was doing.

Thank you, Rotaract. You’ve changed my life❣️