KANDY
The city of
Kandy lies at an altitude of 488.6 meters (1629 feet) above sea level in the
center of the island and surrounded by the ranges of mountains. It is still very
much a focal point of Sri Lankan culture. It was the capitol of last generation
of Sri Lanka`s kings until it fell in to the hands of British in 1815.
Kandy was originally known as Senkadagala pura after a hermit named Senkada who
lived there. Many of Sinhalese people call it ?Mahanuwara? meaning the "Great
City?. But the name Kandy was derived from the Word Kanda, which means mountain.
Due to it?s geographical location Kandy was not an easy target for the foreign
invaders who could gain the control of coastal area of the island. 
Thus Kandyan culture was abler to foster and maintain its own social structure, mode
of living, Art & Architecture. The kings of Kandy ensured the safety and
sovereignty of the hill capitol and it?s great culture until the British finally
captured the city in 1815.
The royal palace in Senkadagala
was built by King Vikramabahu the 3rd of Gampola on the advice of a Brahmin who
selected the site as a lucky ground for a Capital city. The first king to
ascended the throne of Senkadagala was Sena Sammata Wickramabahu.
HONOR ROLL - PAST
PRESIDENTS/SECRETARIES/TREASURERS OF THE LIONS CLUB OF KANDY MD306 C1- SRI
LANKA
Lions who have taken on the
added responsibilities of President of the Lions Club of Kandy MD306 C!, Sri
Lanka, since its inception in 1965, are given below. These gentlemen have
served the club unselfishly and proudly over the years and their hard work
has been translated into a very progressive club that today serves the
community of Kandy and its suburbs.
|
YEAR |
PRESIDENTS |
SECRETARIES |
TREASURERS |
|
1965-66 |
Dr.K.B.Sangakkara |
Prof.A.D.P.Jayatilake |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1966-67 |
Chandra Wijenaike |
Gamini Hewamallika |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1967-68 |
Chandra Wijenaike |
Gamini Hewamallika |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1968-69 |
Sathis Thambugala |
Oswin De Silva |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1969-70 |
A.D.P.Jayathilake |
Oswin De Silva |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1970-71 |
Dr.J.C.W.Mendis |
Ranjith De Alwis |
Daya Mudalige |
|
1971-72 |
Manthi Ranawaka |
Chippy Ranasinghe |
Ramiah Rajendran |
|
1972-73 |
Oswin De Silva |
Walter Herath |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1973-74 |
Prof. M. Fernando |
Ramiah Rajendran |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1974-75 |
M.Amarawardena |
Claude Mendis |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1975-76 |
el Fernando |
Upali Senanayake |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1976-77 |
Dr. Nihal Karunaratne |
Kenneth De Silva |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1977-78 |
Stanley Martin |
Wilson Fernando |
D.D.Jayawardena |
|
1978-79 |
Kenneth De Silva |
Kirthi Abeywickrama |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
1979-80 |
Ivan Wijesuriya |
Upali Senanayake |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
1980-81 |
Dr. Nihal Karunaratne |
David Liyanage |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
1981-82 |
Kirthi Abeywickrama |
Col Alan Nugawela |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
1982-83 |
Dr.A.Samad Ismail |
Mahinda Samarasinghe |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
1983-84 |
Dr.S.Nadesan |
Mahinda Samarasinghe |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
1984-85 |
Lloyd Perera |
Lakshman Sirimanne |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
1985-86 |
Chippy Ranasinghe |
Lesile Dunuwila |
Nihal Perera |
|
1986-87 |
Mahinda Samarasinghe |
Leonard de Alwis |
Daya Weeraratne |
|
1987-88 |
Nihal De Silva |
Farook Ismail |
Ernie Dassanayake |
|
1988-89 |
Lakshman Sirimanne |
Mahinda Samarasinghe |
Ernie Dassanayake |
|
1989-90 |
Dr.Reggie Seimon |
Dudley Gunathilake |
Daya Weeraratne |
|
1990-91 |
Leonard de Alwis |
Cyril Gunasekara |
Daya Weeraratne |
|
1991-92 |
Prof. Malcom Fernando |
Dudley Gunathilake |
Lakshman Sirimanne |
|
1992-93 |
Emie Dassanayake |
Huzair M.Yoosuf |
Dr.Jayalath De Silva |
|
1993-94 |
Dudley Gunathilake |
Upali Hemachandra |
Dr.Jayalath De Silva |
|
Ivan Wijesuriya |
|
1994-95 |
Nihal Perera |
Dr.Jayalath De Silva |
Daya Weeraratne |
|
1995-96 |
Huzair M.Yoosuf |
Dudley Gunathilake |
Duminda Hulangamuwa |
|
1996-97 |
Dr.Jayalath De Silva |
Ramiah Rajendran |
Daya Weeraratne |
|
1997-98 |
Prof.Indrajee Amarasinghe |
Dudley Gunathilake |
Mancius Paiva |
|
1998-99 |
Dr. Nihal Karunaratne |
Ananda Pilimatalvuva |
Mancius Paiva |
|
1999-00 |
Daya Weeraratne |
Ramiah Rajendran |
Lasantha De Fonseka |
|
2000-01 |
Ananda Pilimatalvuva |
Nanda Bandaranayake |
Cyril De Costa |
|
2001-02 |
Lasantha De Fonseka |
Dudley Gunathilake |
Ernie Dassanayake |
|
2002-03 |
Dr. Prasad Amaratunga |
Prof.Don senanayake |
Ernie Dassanayake |
|
2003-04 |
Ernie Dassanayake |
Rukmal Salgadu |
Dudley Gunathilake |
|
Nandana Kariyapperuma |
|
2004-05 |
Ananda Pilimatalvuva |
Dudley Gunathilake |
Nandana Kariyapperuma |
|
2005-06 |
Prof.C.B.Dissanayake |
Ramiah Rajendran |
Udena Welikumbura |
|
2006-07 |
M.A.C.Perera |
Dr M P B Wijayagunawardane |
Udena Welikumbura |
HISTORY OF LIONISM IN SRI LANKA
The history of Lionism begins
with Melvin Jones, born on January 13th 1879, at Fort Thomas,
Arizona, U.S.A. He channeled the capabilities and expertise of a business
circle in Chicago to serve their less fortunate fellowmen. The first
International Convention of 27 clubs; all from the U.S.A., was held in Dallas,
Texas on October 8th, 1917.
On 15th April
1958, the Lions Club of Colomno (Host) was inaugurated by District 304 of South
India. The second Club, which was the Lions Club of Colombo South was
inaugurated five years later in July 1963. In August 1964 the Lions Club of
Colombo North was inaugurated and in November the same year the first outstation
Club, the Lions Club of Kandy was inaugurated by the Colombo Host Club. In 1966
with the formation of 6 clubs, provisional District Status was obtained with
Lion K. Satchithanandan as the first District Governor of the Provisional
District. Within the next few years Lionism grew rapidly with 30 Clubs
inaugurated, a fully fledged District 306 was established in 1969. Within the
next few years there was a rapid growth of the movement, with Clubs formed in
both urban and rural areas, and distributed throughout the country, language
being no barrier. In 1978-79 a Multiple District was formed with Clubs in
District 306 A, being geographically located in the Southern half of the country
and the Clubs in District 306 B, being in the Western, Central, Northern &
Eastern areas, the demarcating line being in Colombo. In 1989/90 District 306 C
was established, and in 2006/2007 three additional districts as A1, B1 and C1
were established to accommodate the increasing numbers and new clubs and to
relieve the burden on District Governors, With the progressive re districting,
each district now holds its own convention on separate days and elects its own
District Governor.
ORIGINS OF THE LIONS
CLUB OF KANDY
In early October 1964 Late
Lion L.I.de Silva of the Colombo Lions Club called on Dr. Gemunu Karunaratna and
his brother Dr. Nihal Karunaratna requesting them to find 20 service orientated
persons for a preliminary meeting to explain the functions of a Lions Club.
A preliminary meeting of an
ad hoc number of persons met at Dr Nihal Karunaratnas? home to explore the
possibility of starting a Club. There being a fair amount of enthusiasm and
cooperation 20 persons were suggested for membership.
They were Mr. E.L.Senanayake,
Mr. A.C.L. Ratwatte, Dr J.C.Block, Dr.J.E.Senanayake, Dr. K.B.Sangakkara, Mr.
Sathis Thambugala, Mr. David Liyanage, Mr Eric Mendis, Mr. D.D.Jayawardena, Mr.
G. Hemamallika. Mr. Damion Paiva, Mr. K.P. Abeywickrema, Mr M.M.Coomaraswamy,
Dr. Lucien Blaze, Dr. A.D.P.Jayatilleke, Dr. Gemunu Karunaratna, Dr.K.R.Swami,
Dr. Nihal Karunaratna, Mr. T. Wimalasinghe, and Mr. N.W.A.D.G.Wijesooriya.
On 15th October
1964 Extension Chairman of the Colombo Lions Club, late Lion Ivor de Silva wrote
to these prospective members requesting them to be present with their ladies at
the Queens Hotel Ballroom at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday 25the October, 1964.
A large number of Lions and
Lion Ladies of the Colombo Lions Club numbering about 25 came by special train
from Colombno for this preliminary meeting. Among them were Lion
Satchithanandan the founder of Lionism in Sri Lanka, Lion Dr. Shelton Cabraal,
Lion Zain Markar, and Lion D.N.W.de Silva who was Tail Twister. The meeting was
a great success, the prospects were told of the numerous activities and
functions of a Lions Club, the financial commitments, management, goals and
targets.
As expected a few of these
prospects backed out, but other names were included in the list of proposed
Charter Members. These persons later became stalwarts of the Kandy Lions Cub.
They were Mr.Chandra Wijenaike, Mr.Sugathe Gunasekera, Dr.Claude Mendis, Dr.
C.D.L. Fernando and Mr.Perry de Lanerolle.
On the 2nd of
November 1964 a preliminary meeting sponsored by the Colombo Lions Club was held
at the Queens Hotel to inaugurate the Lions Club of Kandy. At this meeting
twenty two dedicated persons who were present indicated their willingness to be
Charter Members of the Club, and were inducted.
The Charter of the
International Associations of Lions Clubs was presented to the Charter President
Late Lion Dr. K.B.Sangakkara on the 16th January 1965, by Lion Minoo
Engineer from India at the Queens Hotel Ballroom. At that time District 306 was
still associated with the Lions Clubs of India. The Charter Secretary was late
Lion Dr. A.D.P. Jayatilleke, and the Charter Treasurer was late Lion
D.D.Jayawardena. The Charter Lion Tamer was late Lion Perry de Lanerolle, the
Charter Bulletin Editor was Lion Keerthi Abeywickrema and the Charter Tail
Twister was Lion Dr. Nihal Karunaratna the promoter of the club.
At the time of writing,
(October 2006) of the original Charter Members Lions Chandra Wijenaike, Lion
Sugathe Gunasekera, Lion Keerthi Abeywickrema and Lion Dr. Nihal Karunaratna are
still with the club. During those early formative years the Charter Lions
cemented a friendship of love and caring, not only amongst themelves but also
for others and laid a solid foundation for the greatest Lions Club in Sri Lanka.
Felicitating Past Lion Presidents
I would honour to felicitate past lion
presidents at this moment because our club has developed and brought up to this
standard by their leadership. Not only won district best awards several times
for our club but produced best District Governors & Presidents also. There is no
history has written anywhere about past lion presidents, therefore I gathered
these data through a senior lion member. Please apologize me if there is any
error or concise.
Lions Club of Kandy was inaugurated on 14th
of November 1964 but received the Charter Certificate on 16th of
January 1965.
·
Late Lion Dr. K.B. Sangakkara
was the 1st charter president and he built-up a very strong
foundation during the year 1965/66.
·
During the Lionistic years
1966/67 & 1967/68 Lion Chandra Wijenayake has continued past president?s work.
·
From 1968/69 to 1972/73 Lion
presidents Lion Sathis Thambugala, Lion A.D.P. Jayathilaka, Lion Dr. J.C.W.
Mendis and Lion Oswin de Silva have established the club respectively.
·
Lion Prof. Malcam Fernando
became the president of year 1973/74. During this year he won the best lion
president award, our Lion ladies won the best lion ladies award and the Club won
the best award in the district 306 for the 1st time in our history.
·
In the year 1974/75 Lion Dr.
M. Amarawardhana has taken over the presidency. As usual he worked very hard
with other members and won the 2nd runner-up award.
·
During Lion President Lional
Fernando?s year 1975/76, I heard all the lions had lot of entertainments.
·
In 1976/77 during Lion
President Dr. Nihal Karunarathna?s year, President and the club both won best
awards in the District 306. During this year, I heard there were parties daily
and none of the lions took dinner from their own home.
·
During the year 1977/78, Lion
Stanley Martine was the President and he conducted all the events very
punctually. Lion Club of Matale has inaugurated in this year only.
·
Lion President Kenneth de
Silva has continued the lionism during the year of 1978/79.
·
Very good projects especially
Multi Service Projects carried-out during Late Lion president Iven Wijesooriya?
s year in 1979/80
·
In 1980/81 Lion Dr. Nihal
Karunarathne become the president for the 2nd time and the Lion Club
of Senkadagale inaugurated in this year.
·
Lion Kirthi Abewickrama was
the next lion President in 1981/82 and Lion Prof. Malcam Fernando contested for
the DG post in this year.
·
Lion Dr. Samad Ismail became
the next President in 1982/83. He was very smart and has done lot of project.
Opening a Milk Bar was one of his good projects. He is a very keen and helpful
lion, I must remind that on and off he sends me very useful information.
·
In the year 1983/84 Lion Dr.
S. Nadesan became as the president and has done lot of projects. He started a
Preschool in Kundasala during his year.
·
Lion Lloyed Perera was the 20th
president of our club in 1984/85. Poshanaya and Science Exhibition were best
projects out of so many projects he carried out.
·
Number of awards won in the
years of 1985/86, 1986/87 and 1987,88 during the presidents of Lion Chippy
Ranasinghe, Lion Mahinda Samarasinghe and Lion Nihal de Silva respectively.
·
Lion Laxman Sirimanna was the
next president in year 1988/89. District 306 has divided into A,B and C parts.
Lion Lloyed Perera contested for the DG post and lost in this year.
·
With the above defeat, the
club has taken up to a very strong position by Lion President Dr. Reggie Seimon
in 1989/90. During this year the club won best president award, Best club award,
Best Treasurer award and best Lion ladies award, Lion Lloyed Perera contested
for the DG post again and won by 1 vote in this year.
·
Year 1990/91 also a very
success year led by Lion President Leonard de Alwis.
·
Lion Prof. Malcolm Fernando
took-over the president for the 2nd time in year 1991/92.
·
Next Lion President of our
club was Lion Ernie Dasanayake. He was adjudged the most out-standing President
of the year. Lion Huzair Yusoof was named the best secretary of the District
?C?. Lion Dr. Jayalath de Silva was the runner-up, Best Treasurer. The above
awards were presented by His Excellency the President of SriLanka Hon, D.B.
Wijethunga. In addition won the best runner-up club award in the year 1992/93,
Best multi Service Project, Best Administered Club in the District, Best Musical
Fiesta held at Trinity College, Opening of Pre-School in Ampitiya, Winner of
Help the Handicapped 20 wheel chairs were presented to injured soldiers & Club
Extension ? Mawanella.
·
Very active Lion Dudley
Gunathilaka became the next lion president in our club. He worked very hard
during 1993/94. He is a very helpful person in all the ways.
·
Late Lion Nihal Perera
took-over from Lion Dadly in 1994/95. Won the best club award in this year.
·
In the Lionistic year 1995/96
very efficient Lion Huzair M. Yoosuf become the Lion president of our club.
Mavanella & Katugastota Lion clubs established in this year according to his
effort only. During his Lionistic year, our club won for the best club award in
the district.
·
Lions Club of Kandy again won
the best award for the year 1996/97 with guidance of Lion President Dr. Jayalath
de Silva.
·
Lion Prof. Indrajee
Amarasinghe took-over the presidency in 1997/98 & carried lot of Helth projects.
Safe motherhood project started from this year.
·
Lion Dr. Nihal Karunarathna
became the next lion president for the third time in 1998/99
·
Lion Daya Weerarathna
took-over the presidency in year 1999/2000. This is another year to remember
·
Lion Ananda Pilimathalawa
became the next Lion President for the year 2000/01. This also another year to
remember.
·
Lion Lasantha de Fonseka
took-over the presidency from Lion Ananda in year 2001/02. Lion Lasantha has
done lot of projects and brought-up the club up to 1st runner up
position and he himself became the 1st runner-up President in the
district.
·
Lion Dr. Prasad Amaratunga
became the president in year 2002/03 and carried out lot of dental projects.
·
For the 2nd time
Lion Erni
