My journey with the Rotaract Club of the University of Kelaniya began during my very first year at university. I was inspired to join by a few friends, even though, at the time, I had no idea what Rotaract was truly about. But from the moment I became a part of this family, my path started to change. I began to understand the spirit of service, leadership, and most importantly, the power of teamwork.
Initially, I joined the Club Service Avenue, which helped me settle in and start contributing. But soon, I found myself naturally drawn to the Information and Technology Avenue and the Digital Media Avenue, fueled by my deep passion for tech and creativity.
My very first project was a district-level collaboration called Peasanam, where we teamed up with three other clubs: Rotaract Clubs of KDU, NSBM, and Kandy. The project celebrated four major religious festivals in Sri Lanka, promoting unity and cultural harmony. I had the honor of being the Editor for the Deepawali celebration, which we organized together with the Rotaract Club of Kandy. I must specially mention Lanka Akki and Daran Aiya, our amazing directors, who guided and supported me throughout. That experience taught me a lot about project planning, responsibilities, and working with diverse teams.
Next, I took part in Ludicon, a gaming competition organized by the IT Avenue. This time, I took on the role of External Relations Coordinator, which gave me valuable exposure in handling partnerships and sponsorships.
Another unforgettable milestone in my first year was serving as the Secretary for the Rotaract Avurudu Celebration. That project holds a special place in my heart as the most meaningful and joyful event I contributed to during my first year.
I was also involved in other impactful projects like Ignite Sri Lanka 1.0, the Peasanam Vesak celebration, and contributed to the Digital Media Avenue by creating flyers and designs for various events. Throughout all of these projects, I was lucky to have the support and companionship of my own university friends. They weren’t just teammates—they were my inner circle, making every moment chill, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
In my second year, I was honored to be appointed as the Co-Director of the Information and Technology Avenue—a major turning point in my Rotaract journey. This leadership role gave me the opportunity to create, innovate, and lead some of our avenue’s most meaningful initiatives.
One of the proudest achievements of my time as Co-Director was leading the Project Eduකේත, a signature initiative of the IT Avenue designed to bridge the digital divide across Sri Lanka. The project was implemented in three impactful phases.
TechXpo – A large-scale exhibition showcasing tech innovations, organized in collaboration with multiple university tech clubs.All-Island ICT A/L Seminar Series – We conducted a series of seminars in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums.ICT Education for the Deaf
School – In one of the most heartfelt phases, we ran a six-month ICT course for students at the Rathmalana Deaf School, teaching essential digital skills and empowering them through inclusive education.
The Eduකේත family—our organizing committee—was the most committed and compassionate team I’ve worked with. Their energy and dedication made every challenge easier and every milestone meaningful.
I want to especially thank Gimhan Aiya, my fellow Co-Director, for his incredible support and constant guidance. He’s the technical mastermind behind IT Avenue, and working with him has been a learning experience every step of the way. Also, a big shoutout to Sachinthani, our most talkative (and most helpful!) overlooking exco member—thank you for always having our backs and keeping our spirits high!
And finally, I can’t end this without thanking my best friend, who has been with me through every high and low of this journey. Thank you for holding all my stress, standing by my side through each challenge, and sharing in every moment—your presence made all the difference.
Looking back, Rotaract has given me so much more than I ever expected. It’s where I found my passion, my people, and my purpose. It turned a curious first-year student into a confident individual, ready to serve and lead.
To anyone thinking of joining Rotaract—just go for it. You don’t need to know everything from day one. Just show up, be open to learning, and give your best. Because in Rotaract, you’re not just building projects—you’re building yourself.
