The Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya became one of the most unexpected yet beautiful chapters of my university life. Even though I had worked in many clubs and organizations before, my Rotaract journey felt completely different. It was not just about projects or positions, it became a place filled with friendships, memories, growth, challenges, and countless moments that shaped me as a person.
I joined Rotaract during my second year as a complete newbie. One day, I saw a flyer being shared through WhatsApp chats, and without much thought, I shared it with my friends too. Along with me, Sachee, Gavesh, and Dula also joined the club. Honestly, we knew absolutely nothing about Rotaract at that time. We simply wanted to experience something new and step beyond our comfort zones. Then came the avenue selections. There were five avenues, and we had no idea which avenue suited us best. I applied for Community Service Avenue, but my friends applied a little late. By then, there were no remaining slots in Community Service, so they joined the International Service Avenue instead. Looking back now, that small moment unknowingly marked the beginning of a journey that would become unforgettable.
The orientation program was one of the first moments where I truly felt connected to the club. I met people from different faculties, talked with so many new faces, laughed, and enjoyed every little moment. For someone who entered without knowing what Rotaract really was, the warmth and energy of the people immediately made me feel comfortable.
Soon after the orientation, I applied for Swabha Samudra as an OC member and was selected as a Public Relations Coordinator. That project became one of the biggest turning points in my Rotaract journey. Through Swabha Samudra, I improved my designing skills immensely and gained experiences I had never imagined before. We conducted awareness sessions at schools and even traveled to Kalpitiya to cultivate mangroves. It was my first experience engaging in environmental service at such a meaningful level, and every moment felt new and exciting. Even today, I consider Swabha Samudra as my very first “best Rotaract experience.” But beyond the project work, Swabha Samudra also gifted me something even more valuable , people.
That is where I met my beautiful “four souls”: Sula, Pahan, Nadeesha, and Eranda. All of them were fellow PR Coordinators, and from the very beginning, we clicked instantly. We were funny, chaotic, and full of gossip every single day. We shared endless conversations, jokes, and random discussions that probably should never become public because honestly, if the club ever found out the things we discussed, our positions alone would not be enough to save us.
While working as a PR Coordinator, I also applied for Writing Maze 2.0 as a Club Coordinator. That project introduced me to another group of beautiful souls who became unforgettable parts of my journey, Sapna akka, Dilushi akka, Delishia, Chenuri, and Zamra. Zamra became my very first Muslim friend, and through that friendship, I realized how Rotaract beautifully connects people from completely different backgrounds.
Working in Writing Maze gave me opportunities beyond what I initially expected. I even had the chance to become one of the Team Leaders of the Editorial Avenue. As time passed, we successfully concluded Writing Maze 2.0, and the journey left behind countless memories and friendships that I still cherish today.
One of the sweetest gifts from Writing Maze was meeting two adorable kiddos, Thehan malli and Jaroy. Even today, they still talk with me because of the bond we built during that project. Some projects officially end, but the people you meet through them remain part of our life forever.
As a Team Leader, another major chapter of my journey began with Rota Tomorrow. All Team Leaders had to work under two committees, the Competition Committee and the Event Committee. The Competition Committee focused on carrying out projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals while competing against twelve other teams. The Event Committee was responsible for organizing the grand Rota Tomorrow Award Ceremony.
At first, I applied for the Event Committee, but unfortunately, I got selected for the Competition Committee instead. Looking back now, that “bad luck” became one of the greatest experiences of my Rotaract life.
That was where I met one very special soul Harini. I was also fortunate to have Thanuj as my mentor throughout the journey. Together with my team, we carried out Project “අරුණාලෝක” under Eco Vanguards, which focused on helping underprivileged families by distributing and establishing solar kits for two households.
The journey was not easy at all. Balancing academics, project responsibilities, meetings, field work, and personal life was extremely challenging. There were moments filled with pressure and exhaustion, but somehow I managed to balance everything while giving my fullest commitment to the project.
In the end, all the hard work became worth it when our project won the “Most Sustainable Project Award.” That moment remains one of the proudest achievements of my entire Rotaract journey.
After the project, during the farewell party, another unexpected chapter began. I met three Muslim friends whom I had never interacted with before, and among them was Sarafath. Even today, our friendship continues unexpectedly, and he remains one of the special people I gained through Rotaract. He became my second Muslim friend after Zamra, and these friendships reminded me how Rotaract creates connections beyond faculties, cultures, and backgrounds.
Later on, I received an invitation from Himantha to join as a Co-Director for the Member Relations Avenue under the Rota Tomorrow project. I happily accepted the opportunity, and today, as I slowly wind up this beautiful journey full of memories, I can proudly say that it became one of the best decisions I ever made.
Another my proudest and most emotional memories as a Co-Director was the orientation program of the new Board of Directors. Standing there as part of the leadership itself felt surreal because I still remembered the clueless newbie who once joined Rotaract simply to “get experience.”
Among all the memories, one of the most unforgettable was our trip to Kitulgala with the BOD and EXCO. That day gave me every possible emotion excitement, fear, laughter, joy, and honestly, at one point, the feeling that it might become my last surviving day. But those chaotic and adventurous moments became memories I will cherish forever.
As a Co-Director, I was lucky to work alongside Dinithi Thathsarani, while our overseeing EXCO member was Vice President Hiumie. Both of them were incredibly supportive throughout the journey. Without their guidance and understanding, balancing both my academics and Rotaract responsibilities would have been impossible. I was also fortunate to meet my little TL kiddos, Gayanga, Naduni, and Nimaya. Their love, support, and the bond we shared became one of the sweetest parts of my journey. Watching them work with passion and dedication reminded me of my own first days in Rotaract, and they truly became special people in my life.
We successfully concluded Rota Romp and Rota Tomorrow 6.0 with countless proud moments, achievements, laughter, stress, and memories that I will carry throughout my life. Throughout my Rotaract journey, I contributed to six different projects while serving in different positions and responsibilities. From being a PR Coordinator to a Club Coordinator, Team Leader, and finally a Co-Director, every role taught me valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork & commitment .Looking back now, I truly feel proud because I believe I fulfilled my responsibilities with dedication and gave my best to every journey I became a part of. I feel truly grateful for every single person I met during this journey. Each project, each friendship, and each challenge taught me something valuable.
Rotaract was never just another university club for me. It became a second family, a place where I discovered myself, built lifelong friendships, improved my skills, and collected memories that will stay with me forever. From random gossip sessions to stressful deadlines, from muddy field visits to award-winning projects, every single moment became part of a journey that truly transformed my university life.
Viva la Rotaract.
