RYLA 2019-20

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2019-20, hosted by Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town was held on 25th and 26th of January 2020 at the Che Adventure Park Kosgama. Rtr. Nipuna Rambukkanage and Rtr. Sahan Silva participated in RYLA 2019-20 representing the Rotaract Club of the University of Kelaniya.

RYLA is a leadership development program run by Rotary Clubs all around the world. Rotaractors and non-Rotaractors aged between 18 and 30 are encouraged to participate in RYLA programs. The main purpose of this program is to prepare the participants to take up the leadership as well as to encourage all Rotaractors to join Rotary after their Rotaract career with the willingness to continue serving the world.

This time, the hosting club had decided to maximize the time allocated for outbound activities. It was the reason to hold this event in a professional outbound training center. Project chairpersons, Rtn. Numan Zarajdeen and Rtn. Nahil Rupasinghe had done a spectacular job in organizing this tremendous event. Around 100 delegates representing most of the Rotaract Clubs in District 3220 participated in this efficacious event.

The program commenced with the opening ceremony in the presence of the dignitaries, including Past District Governor Rtn. Thariq Thulba, President of Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town Rtn. Irshad Halaaldeen, District Chairman-Service Projects Rtn. PAG G.S.Sylvester, District Rotaract Representative Rtr. PP Krishan Balaji, RYLA Chairpersons and members of the organizing committee.

Inbound sessions proceeded with the speech of the keynote speaker Mr. Fathhi Mohammed, Co-founder of PickMe and CEO of Yoho Bed on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Past District Governor Rtn. Thariq Thulba shared his life experience on Rotaract to Rotary transformation. That concludes the inbound sessions of the whole program and thereafter the program continued with exciting outbound activities. Every team tried to do their best to win the title Best RYLA Team 2019-20. The contest for the two individual award titles, Best Rylarian 2019-20 and Most Popular Rylarian 2019-20 was extremely interesting as well. The participants were fortunate enough to experience a traditional campfire with lots of fun on the first night, and it was a night to remember. The event included many hypercompetitive activities, creative thinking and joyous moments which helped participants to eagerly perform their best. The organizing committee had taken efforts in providing an exquisite experience to the participants.

Best Male Rylarian 2019-20 title was achieved by Rtr. Ahamed Hussain of Rotaract Club of Colombo North, while Rtr. Afraa Mohomed of the Rotaract Club of Centennial United had the opportunity of becoming the Best Female Rylarian 2019-20. Rtr. Keith Mehta, the President of Rotaract Club of ACBT acquired the title of the Most Popular Rylarian 2019-20. “Team Ketchup” was recognized as the Best Ryla Team 2019-20 and “Team All Blacks” placed Runners up.

RYLA 2019-20 marked its conclusion on the second and final day evening, leaving remarkable lessons and unforgettable memories to all the participants.

All the delegates unquestionably displayed togetherness, humbleness, and fellowship through their well-spent weekend in Kosgama. RYLA 2019-20 made all the participants wield Rotaract as a contrivance of leadership and service.

Rotaract Club of the University of Kelaniya wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the organizing committee of RYLA 2019-20 and the Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town, for a job well done!

Written by Rtr Sahan Silva

Secretary Elect 2019-20

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