The Lions Club Of Kandy
The First Forty Four Years: 1965/66 to 2008/09
The Past Presidents
(Prepared by Lion Ananda Pilimatalavuva from notes supplied by Lion Dudley Gunathilake).
1. 1965 / 66: Lion Dr.K.B.Sangakkara
Lion Dr.Sangakkara was a keen sports enthusiast of Kandy, a ruggerite in his day who used to spend time in the evenings at Asgiriya Grounds helping Trinity College with their rugger practices with Major Harry Hardy their coach. A former President of the Kandy Sports Club and being among the 22 Charter Members of the Club he was unanimously invited to be the Charter President of the Club in 1965 / 66.
Lion Prof.A.D.P.Jayatilaka was his Secretary.
2. 1966 / 1967:
3. 1967 / 1968: Lion Chandra Wijenaike
Lion Chandra Wijenaike, a leading businessman of Kandy who was the founder Chairman of Central Finance Co. Ltd. and the first Sri Lankan to obtain membership of the Kandy Garden Club and the Kandy Club, a live-wire in Kandy and a Charter Member of the Club, took over from Lion Dr.Sangakkara as President. He very willingly served two consecutive terms from 1966 / 67 to 1967 / 68. An acknowledged leader as President laid a sound foundation for the club.
Lion Chandra was awarded the prestigious 'Charter Monarch' from 1965 to 2005, an award granted once every five years. During his presidency he extended the Lions Club of Nawalapitiya / Kotmale with Lion Prof. Malcolm Fernando as extension Chairman. He was Zone Chairman 1968 /1969 and as he was regular in attendance, received the 100 % Attendance Award for a period of over 30 years continuously. His Lion Lady Dulcie enjoys the distinction of having been the first President of the Lion Ladies where she too laid a solid foundation and set an example for other Lion Ladies to emulate.
Lion Gamini Hewamallika was Secretary during his two terms.
4. 1968 / 1969: Lion Sathis Thambugala
Lion Sathis Thambugala, a Charter Member took over the presidency from Lion Chandra and maintained the high standards set by his two predecessors. His Lion Lady Dr.Kusuma Thambugala served as Lion Lady President.
Lion Oswin De Silva was his Secretary.
5. 1969 / 1970: Lion Prof.A.D.P.Jayatilaka
Lion Prof. A.D.P.Jayatilaka who served as the Charter Secretary took over as President from Lion Sathis Thambugala. He continued the established traditions of the Club.
Lion Oswin De Silva was his Secretary.
6. 1970 / 1971: Lion Dr.Claude Mendis
Lion Claude, a Charter Member was President during 1970 / 71. Subsequently he served as Zone Chairman in 1972 / 73 and was Deputy District Governor during 1973 / 74 and 1974 / 75. He is remembered as having been a very lively President during his tenure. His Lion Lady Marini served as Lion Lady President during his year.
Lion Ranjith De Alwis was his Secretary.
7. 1971 / 1972: Lion Manthi Ranawaka
He served as President of the Club during 1971 / 72 and thereafter migrated to Australia in 1980.
Lion Chippy Ranasingha was his Secretary.
8. 1972 / 1973: Lion Oswin De Silva
Lion Oswin joined the Club in 1966 and served as President in 1972 / 73. Thereafter he became Zone Chairman in 1973 / 74 and Deputy District Governor in 1974 / 75. He contested for District Governor at the 1978 Convention and emerged victorious as District Governor Elect. Thereafter he transferred to the Moratuwa Club from where he served his term as District Governor of District 306 being the last District Governor of that District before its division. At his Convention, District 306 was divided into A & B. His Lion Lady Indra was his Lion Lady President. They migrated to Australia at the end of his term as Governor.
Lion Walter Herath was his Secretary.
9. 1973 / 1974: Lion Prof. Malcolm Fernando
Lion Malcolm an acknowledged academic, joined the Club in 1965. He developed into a very knowledgeable Lion and earned the sobriquet 'Father of Lionism of the Lions Club of Kandy'. His period as President was a memorable one as the Lions Club of Kandy emerged as the Best Club in the District with Lion Malcolm being selected as the Best President with his Lion Lady Donita being selected as the Best Lion Lady President.
During his tenure, the Lion Ladies Club was selected as the best Lion Ladies Club in the District. The Club also won many awards for projects conducted that year. Lion Prof. Malcolm served as Zone Chairman during 1975 / 76 and Deputy District Governor in 1976 / 77. Lion Prof. Malcolm earned a reputation as a strict disciplinarian who observed strict punctuality. The Lions Club of Kandy proposed his name for District Governor at the convention held in 1983. After a keen contest with a former student of his who contested from the Kelani Valley Club he lost the good fight. In recognition of his contribution to Lionism and the Club, the Club sponsored him as a Life member of the International Association of Lions Clubs.
Lion Ramiah Rajendran was his Secretary.
10. 1974 / 1975: Lion Dr.M.Amerawardena
Lion Amare, a Past President of the Kandy Buddhist Association and the Mahanuvara Y.M.B.A. and a member of many other social and religious service organisations, joined the club in February 1966. He was a Director from 1967 to 2006. He served as President in1974 / 75 when the club emerged as 2nd runner up at the District Contest. The Lions Club of Kegalla in District 306 B was inaugurated that year with Lion Prof.Malcolm Fernando and PDG Lion Oswin Silva as Extension Chairmen. He was awarded the 100% President's award. He also received the 100% Attendance Awards from the club for the period 1965 to 2005. He pioneered the eye donation campaigns and organized White Cane Day annually for 26 years.
Lion Claude Mendis served as his Secretary.
11. 1975 / 1976: Lion Lionel Fernando
Lion Lionel was Principal of Trinity College and joined the club in 1970 and served as the President in the Lionistic year 1975 / 76. He was a very popular Tail Twister from 1971 to 1974 and was awarded the 100% Attendance Award for almost 20 years. The Lions Club of Gampola was extended during his tenure. His Lion Lady served as President of the Lion Ladies during his term.
Lion Upali Senanayaka was his Secretary.
12. 1976 / 1977: Lion Dr.Nihal Karunaratna
Lion Dr.Nihal is the Charter Member who can be best described as the Father of Lionism in Kandy and the Central Region of the island. He was responsible for organising the batch of 22 prospective Charter Members to inaugurate the club in 1965.He is a Social worker, environmentalist and historian, in addition to being a busy family physician. He has authored many books on history and the environment. As a social worker he was Chairman of the Kandy General Hospital Committee for 25 years and organised and established many service organizations like the Kandy Cancer Society. Lion Nihal was the first Tail Twister of the club and served three consecutive years, enjoying every moment of this period and keeping the other members in good humour. Additionally, he tail twisted in the years 1979 / 80, 1987 / 88 and 1990 / 91. Besides these years he has been the stand-by for tail twisting almost throughout the existence of the Club.
He inaugurated the Leo club of Kandy and was its guide and adviser for many years. Being a writer he enjoyed being Bulletin Editor in 1977 / 78, 1982 / 83 and 1991 / 92 and was selected as the Best Bulletin Editor in 1977 / 78. A novel feature of his stewardship of the club was the regular dinner meetings organised at the homes of members where the regular projects were planned with a project being inaugurated almost every other day, amounting to about four projects per week.
During his year, the Lions Club of Kandy once again emerged as the Best Club of the District for the second time and Lion Nihal was adjudged the Best President that year. The Lion Ladies under his Lion Lady Suvimalee was selected as the Best Lion Ladies Club.
He served as District Chairman Environment on three occasions. He received the Charter Chevron for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. He received the 100 % Attendance Award from 1965 to 2006. Besides these he has received the District Governor's Appreciation Award for Necrology, PDG Lion Chuck Wijenathan's award for the President showing outstanding leadership during 1976 / 77, the Melvin Jones Golden Anniversary's International Award, a medal for the most outstanding fund raising project 1967 / 68 and additionally he was the steering committee member for the convention held in Kandy in 1996. He received the 100% President's Excellence Awards for the three occasions when he held the post of President.
In recognition of his services to the general public and the country, His Excellency President J.R.Jayawardena conferred on him the prestigious national honour of Deshabandu. Finally in appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the Lions Club of Kandy, the Club sponsored his 'Life membership' in the International Association of Lions Clubs.
He later served a second and an unprecedented third term as President.
Lion Kenneth De Silva was his Secretary.
13. 1977 / 1978: Lion Stanley Martin
Lion Stanley joined the club in 1968 and served as President during the Lionistic Year 1977 / 78. He was Zone Chairman in 1979 / 80 and received the 100% Attendance Awards over a period of 25 years. His Lion Lady Thelma was the Lion Lady President.
Lion Wilson Fernando was his Secretary.
14. 1978 / 1979: Lion Kenneth De Silva
Lion Kenneth joined the club in 1976 and was secretary during 1976 / 77 becoming President of the Club in 1978 / 79. In the following year 1979 / 80, he served as Zone Chairman. His Lion Lady Sherine was President of the Lion Ladies; they subsequently migrated to the USA.
Lion Keerthi Abeywickrema was his Secretary.
15. 1979 / 1980: Lion Ivan Wijesuriya
Lion Ivan, fondly referred to as 'Ivan the terrible' joined the club in 1974. He took over as President in 1979 / 80 and was the originator of the concept of Multi Service Projects. The first such project was conducted at Rikiligaskada. During his term the club emerged as 2nd runner up in the District 306 B. He was also Bulletin Editor in 1980 / 81, 1981 / 82, 1983 / 84, 1986 / 87 and 1989 / 90. He was secretary in1993 / 94 and served on the Board until 1995.
He also served as District Chairman and Region Chairman in District 306 B. He received the President's 100% Excellence Award from Lions International and the 100% Attendance Awards over a period of 25 years. His Lion Lady Malini was President of the Lion Ladies and emerged as the Best Lion Ladies Club in 1970 / 80. She is remembered as a very dedicated and hard-working Lion Ladies President.
Lion Upali Senanayaka was his Secretary.
16. 1980 / 1981: Deshabndu Lion Dr.Nihal Karunaratna
Lion Dr.Nihal Karunaratna who was the promoter of the Club served a second term as President in 1980 / 81. As usual with him at the helm, it was a period of activity and he was again awarded the 100% Excellence Award by Lions International. The Lions Club of Matale was extended during his tenure.
Lion David Liyanage was his Secretary.
17. 1981 / 1982: Lion Kirthi Abeywickrema
Lion Kirthi was a Charter Member and the first Bulletin Editor of the Club. He held this position with much acceptance for a period of two years. He took over as President in1981 / 82 and successfully organised the extension of the Senkadagala Club as its Extension Chairman. He served as Secretary in 1978 / 79 was Bulletin Editor several times viz. 1984 / 85, 1998 / 99 and 1999 / 2000 and was adjudged the Best Bulletin Editor in that year. A very knowledgeable Lion, he served on the Board of Directors for a period of over 15 years.
Lion Col.Allan Nugawela was his Secretary.
18. 1982 / 1983: Sri Lanka Sikkamani Lion Dr.Samad Ismail
Lion Dr.Samad joined the club in 1972 and assumed office as President of the club in 1982 / 83. During his tenure, Kandy was selected as the Best Club with himself as Best President that year; the third occasion the Club won this title. In the same year he also opened a 'Milk Bar' close to St. Paul's Church where in the evenings Lions and Lion Ladies assisted in its management. He also compiled and edited a booklet on Lionism. Lion Samad possesses a good memory and is able to render the Lions Code of Ethics from memory. He is also able to induct new members and install office bearers without reference to notes.
He is a much sought-after tail twister and held that office with distinction in 1985 / 86, 1989 / 90, 1992 / 93, 1995 / 96 and 1997 / 98, besides acting for the tail twisters whenever they were absent. He also served as Zone Chairman in 1983 / 84, District Chairman from 1984 / 85, Steering Committee Member and Chairman Convention Workshops from 1990 / 91. He received the 100% Attendance Awards for 33 years, Chevron Awards for 10 years, 20 years, 25 years and 30 years. He also received the 100% President's Excellence Award. His Lion Lady Siyana was Lion Lady President during that year and her committee was also adjudged as the best.
In recognition of his services to the community His Excellency President Premadasa conferred the title of 'Sri Lanka Sikkamani' on him.
Lion Mahinda Samarasingha was his Secretary.
19. 1983 / 1984: Lion Dr.S.Nadeson
Lion Nadeson joined the club in 1965. A quiet, silent and unassuming person, he willingly took-over as President in1983 / 84. He received the 100% Attendance Award for a period of over 35 years. He was a lover of sports and served as President of the Kandy Sports Club during the 1990s. His Lion Lady Rajeswari was the Lion Lady President that year.
Lion Mahinda Samarasingha was his Secretary.
20. 1984 / 1985: Lion Lloyd Perera
Lion Lloyd first joined the club in 1972 but left the club early and re-joined in 1982. He was a very courageous lion who always acted with determination irrespective of the odds against him. He took over as President in 1984 / 85. During his tenure of office he organized a very successful science exhibition at St Sylvester's College named the 'Poshanaya Exhibition' and a demonstration of recycling discarded aluminum foils. Under him, the club emerged 3rd runner up in the District Contest of District 306 B. Lion Lloyd received the President's 100% Excellence Award. He served as Zone Chairman in1986 / 87, District Co-ordinator 1987 / 88 and District Chairman Housing in 1988 / 89. In 1990 / 91 he contested for District Governor and lost but in his next attempt he was successful and became District Governor of 306 C becoming the second Governor of that District. He organized the 1991 convention in Kandy and thereafter became Chairman of the Multiple District in1991-92. His Lion Lady Rani gave energetic leadership to the Lion Ladies who emerged as the Best Lion Ladies Committee once again.
Lion Lakshman Sirimanne was his Secretary.
21. 1985 / 1986: Lion Chippy Ranasinghe
Lion Chippy joined the club in 1967 and served as President during 1985 / 86. He received the 100%Attendance Award for a period of over 20 years. His Lion Lady Leela was the President of Lion Ladies during his tenure of office.
Lion Leslie Dunuvila was his Secretary.
22. 1986 / 1987: Lion Mahinda Samarasinghe
Lion Mahinda joined the club in 1979. Being an energetic Lion he lead the club in 1986 / 87 when the club emerged as 3rd runner up in the District Contest. He had also served as Secretary earlier on two occasions. He received the 100% Attendance Award over a period of 15 years. His Lion Lady Dr.Wimala gave leadership to the Lion Ladies as their President and emerged as the Best Lion Ladies Club in 1986 / 87.
Lion Leonard De Alwis was his Secretary.
23. 1987 / 1988: Lion Nihal De Silva
Lion Nihal joined the club in 1985 and took over the Presidency of the club in 1987 / 88 and administered the affairs of the club to the satisfaction of all. During his year, the club members had a successful outing at Hope Estate, the Plantation he was managing. He was tail twister in 1984 / 85. On transferring to Colombo he left the Club and joined the Lions Club of Colombo Orient but came back and rejoined the Club in 1986. His Lion Lady Priyanthi was the Lion Ladies President during his year.
Lion Farouk Ismail was his Secretary.
24. 1988 / 1989: Lion Lakshman Sirimanne
Lion Lakshman joined the club in 1979 and served as President in 1988 / 89. During his tenure he organised a number of useful projects. He received the President's 100% Excellence Award from Lions International that year. He also served as Lion Tamer in 1981 / 82, Secretary in 1984 / 85 and Treasurer in 1991 / 92. He emerged as the Best Treasurer at the Convention held in 1992. His Lion Lady Lilamini was President of the Lion Ladies.
Lion Mahinda Samarasingha was his Secretary.
25. 1989 / 1990: Deshabandu Lion Dr.Reggie Seimon
Lion Reggie joined the Club in 1985 and took over the Presidency in 1989 / 90. In January 1990 the Club celebrated its 25th anniversary with Lion Reggie as President on a very grand scale. Lion Reggie organised his projects meticulously and got maximum participation from the Lions and Lion Ladies of the Club. Being a reputed eye surgeon, his main theme for projects was to promote a systematic eye examination with a view to creating awareness of defective eye sight and correcting them. All schools in the region were visited and children were educated and instructed on how to examine the vision of their school-mates and these findings were recorded. Those with defective sight were brought to the Centre for Sight at the Kandy Hospital and treated. His Lion Lady Indira was the President of the Lion Ladies and they too conducted many projects making it a memorable year as the club won over 50% of the awards for the year, among them a) Best President b) Best Secretary c) Best Treasurer d) Best Lion Lady President e) Best Lion Ladies? Committee f) the District Contest.
Lion Reggie was also a reputed tail twister, and was the tail twister in 1991 / 92, 1993 / 94, 1994 / 95, 1996 / 97, 2001 / 02, 2004 / 05, 2006 / 07 and 2007 / 08. He received the 100% President's Award too. He was District Chairman of the Sight First Programme, Centre for Sight at the Kandy Hospital in 1992. In 1991 / 92 he obtained a sum of Rs. 6.6 million from Lions International and collected another 30 million rupees from other donors to make his pet dream to construct the Centre for Sight a success. He is also responsible for organising the Kandy Eye Centre with foreign donations. He further equipped many other hospitals with the latest equipment for eye treatment. The very useful humanitarian work done by him was recognised by His Excellency President R. Premadasa who bestowed on him the prestigious title of Deshabandu.
Lion Dudley Gunatilake was his Secretary.
26. 1990 / 1991: Lion Leonard De Alwis
Lion Leonard was Secretary in 1986 / 87 and took over as President in 1990 / 91. He was the Principal of Trinity College. His Lion Lady Charmaine was President of the Lion Ladies. On retiring from Trinity and obtaining employment abroad he left the Club.
Lion Cyril Gunasekera was his Secretary.
27. 1991 / 1992: Lion Prof. Malcolm Fernando
Lion Malcolm willingly served a second term as President of the club in 1991 / 92. As expected it turned out to be another well-organised year with many useful projects being undertaken.
Lion Dudley Gunatilake was his Secretary.
28. 1992 / 1993: Lion Ernie Dassanayaka
Lion Ernie joined the Kotmale Club as a Charter Member in 1967. Subsequently when he left that District he left the Club too and joined the Lions club of Kandy in 1984. He took over as President in 1992 / 93. As a member of the Club and as its President he made a lasting impression and contribution to the Club by initiating strategies for the retention of members. In his year he emerged as the Best President while the Club was chosen as the Best Club in the District. In 1993 he extended the Mawanella Club with Lion Huzair Yousouf as Extension Chairman. He was Treasurer in 1986 / 87, 1987 / 88, 2001 / 02, and 2002 / 03, Zone Chairman in 1993 / 94 and Region Co-ordinator in 1994 / 95. He received the 100% President?s Excellence Award from Lions International, the 100% Attendance Award up to 2007 and Chevron Awards up to 2006. Lion Lady Indrani Senanayaka served as his Lion Lady President and they won the position as the Best Lion Ladies' Committee that year.
Lion Huzaire Yousoof was his Secretary.
29. 1993 / 1994: Lion Dudley Gunatilaka
Lion Dudley joined the club in 1971 and married Lion Lady Chinta the same year. Lion Dudley served as Lion Tamer in 1971 / 72, 1972 / 73, 1974 / 75, 1985 / 86, 1986 / 87, 2001 / 2002 and 2002 / 2003; as Leo Adviser 1976 / 77 and 1977 / 78; as Secretary 1989 / 90, 1995 / 96, 1997 / 98, 2001 / 02 and 2004 / 05; as Treasurer 1978 / 79, 1979 / 80, 1980 / 81, 1981 / 82, 1982 / 83, 1984 / 85 and 2003 / 04; as Bulletin Editor 1996 / 97, 2004 / 05 and 2005 / 06; on the Board of Directors 1971 / 72 to 2006 / 07. He and Lion Ramiah Rajendran were Co-Extension Chairmen at the extension of the Lions Club of Katugastota. He has also held positions in the District as Cabinet Secretary 1991 / 92, District Chairman 1986 / 87, 1990 / 91, 1998 / 99, 1999 / 2000, District Programme Co-ordinator CPE 2005 / 06, Convention Steering Committee Secretary 1990 / 91. He has also won numerous awards such as Most Outstanding Treasurer 1978 / 79, Most Outstanding Secretary 1989 / 90, 2001 / 02, Best President?s Appreciation Awards 1991 / 92, 1998 / 99, 1999 / 2000 and 2005 / 06. He received Chevrons from Lions International from 1971 to 2006 and the 100% Attendance Awards for a period of 35 years. In 1999 he was made a Justice of the Peace. In view of his enormous contribution to the Lions Club of Kandy, the Club conferred on him Life Membership of Lions International in 2004 / 2005.
His late Lion Lady Chinta served as President of the Lion Ladies in 1993 / 94, 2001 / 02 and 2004 / 05, besides having been Lion Ladies Treasurer on four occasions and Lion Lady Secretary on three occasions. She emerged as the Most Outstanding President of the Lion Ladies in 1993 / 94, 2001 / 02 and 2004 / 2005.
Lions Upali Hemachandra and Ivan Wijesuriya in turn served as his Secretary that year.
30. 1994 / 1995: Lion Nihal Perera
Lion Nihal joined the club in 1976. He served as Treasurer in 1985 / 86 before taking over as President in 1994 / 95. During his tenure, the Club emerged as the Best Club in District 306 C. He was Zone Chairman 1995 / 96 and was selected as the Best Zone Chairman that year. His Lion Lady Vidya was Lion Lady President and the Club emerged as the Best Lion Ladies Club in 1994 / 95 under her leadership.
Lion Dr.Jayalath De Silva was his Secretary.
31. 1995 / 1996: Lion Huzair Yosouf
Lion Huzair joined the Club in 1986 and was elected President in 1995 / 96. He is very knowledgeable on Lionism and keen, enthusiastic and committed to the movement. He extended the Lions Club of Katugastota who celebrated their 10th anniversary last year and produced a Governor as well. This was possible mainly due to Lion Huzair's good prospecting for Charter Members. During his Presidency the Lions club of Kandy emerged as the Best Club in the District with himself being chosen as the Best President. He served as Secretary of the Club in 1992 / 93 and has been on the Board since 1990 to date. He was Zone Chairman in 1997 / 98 and emerged as the Most Outstanding Runner-up Zone Chairman. In 1998 / 99 he was Region Chairman and emerged as the Most Outstanding Runner-up Region Chairman. He also received the 100% President's Excellence Award. His Lion Lady Kairoon was Lion Lady President in 1995 / 96 and under her leadership emerged as the Most Outstanding Lion Ladies' Committee in the District.
Lion Dudley Gunatilake was his Secretary.
32. 1996 / 1997: Lion Dr.Jayalath De Silva
Lion Dr.Jayalath joined the Club in 1988. He was a Director from 1989 to 1998, Lion Tamer in 1991 / 92, Treasurer 1992 / 93, where he emerged as the Most Outstanding First Runner-up Treasurer in the District, Secretary 1994 / 95 and emerged as the Most Outstanding Secretary of the District and President in 1996 / 97 where he was adjudged the Most Outstanding President of Region 6 and of District 306 C. A multitude of projects were executed under his leadership, the highlight being the inauguration of the Elders' Home at Mawilmada with assistance from Lion Piyal Weerasingha of the Mawanella Club and the Kandy Buddhist Association who donated the land. He finally received the President's 100% Excellence Award from Lions International.
Lion Ramiah Rajendran was his Secretary.
33. 1997 / 1998: Lion Prof.Indrajee Amerasingha MJF
Lion Prof.Indrajee joined the Club in 1998. He is well known and respected for his patience, understanding and determination in tackling any problem with a smile. A well-known gynaecologist, he is currently the Dean of the Medical Faculty at the Peradeniya University. He organised many health projects for the benefit of the community during his tenure of office, his theme and pet project being 'safe motherhood'. He has been a Director from 1986 to date i.e. 2007 / 2008. He received the 100% Attendance Award from 1998 to 2007. He also received the President's Excellence Award from Lions International. In 1997 / 98 he was District Chairman. His Lion Lady Manel was the President of the Lion Ladies' Committee and executed many projects to finally win the award as Best Lion Lady President.
Lion Dudley Gunatilake was his Secretary.
34. 1998 / 1999: Deshabandu Lion Dr.Nihal Karunaratna
Lion Dr.Nihal took over as President for the third time to fill a void and to demonstrate to the younger new Lions how to conduct and organise meetings, projects and generally perform as President of the Club. He also organised a useful seminar on Lionism with Past International Director Lion Chuck Wijenathan as the main speaker and also conducted a very useful medical camp.
Lion Ananda Pilimatalavuva was his Secretary
35. 1999 / 2000: Lion Daya Weeraratna
Lion Daya a reputed businessman of Kandy and later President of the Mahanuvara YMBA joined the Club in 1978. His hallmark was his friendly nature and amiable smile. As President of the Millennium Year he executed many useful projects. He was Treasurer in 1986 / 87, 1989 / 90, 1990 / 91, 1994 / 95 and 1996 / 97. In 1989 / 90 and 1994 / 95 he was selected as the Most Outstanding Treasurer of the District. In 2000 / 2001 he was Zone Chairman Region 7 Zone 1, Region Chairman Region 7 in 2001 / 02 and was selected as the Most Outstanding Region Chairman of the District. He was the District Governor's Programme Co-ordinator in 2004 / 2005, 2005 / 2006 and 2006 / 2007.
His Lion Lady Chitra was President of the Lion Ladies and under her leadership emerged as the Best Lion Ladies' Committee.
Lion Ramiah Rajendran was his Secretary.
36. 2000 / 2001: Lion Ananda Pilimatalavuva
Lion Ananda originally joined the Lions movement as a member of the Lions Club of Bandarawela in 1973 / 74. With the take-over of the tea plantations by the Land Reforms Commission, he joined an Estate Management Agency House and moved to Colombo. Thereafter he joined the Lions Club of Borella in 1982. There he served as Treasurer winning the Best Treasurer's Runner-up Award, Secretary of the Club and finally President on three occasions, winning the Presidents' Excellence Award as well. On retiring from employment he settled down at Embilmeegama and transferred his membership to Kandy in 1996.
As a student of history he has been a contributor to the print media on subjects connected with history and current topics. He also authored two books on the history of the Kandyan Period. He was Secretary of the Club in 1998 / 99, a member of the Board continuously since joining the Club and took-over as President for the first time in 2000 / 2001. In that year, the club emerged as the Most Outstanding Club in the Region with himself as the Most Outstanding President of the Region. He received his 20th year Chevron from Lions International, the 5 Member Key Award and the 100% President's Excellence Award also from Lions International in 2002. His most outstanding achievement and contribution to the development of the Club was to convince three Lion Ladies to join the Club as Lady Lions for the first time in the Club's history. Two of these Lady Lions have now taken-over important posts as Assistant Treasurer and Secretary of the Club. With the lead given by them, now in our 44th year we have been able to install for the first time a Lady Lion as President of the Club.
The Club celebrated its 40th Charter anniversary under his leadership in 2004 / 2005 in his second term as President of the Club when he again won the President's Excellence Award from Lions International. He has also received the 100% Attendance Award on many occasions. Late Lion Lady Chinta Gunatilake was the President of the Lion Ladies during his years.
Lion Nanda Bandaranayaka was his Secretary.
37. 2001 / 2002: Lion Lasasntha De Fonseka MJF
Lion Lasantha a businessman of Kandy joined the Club in 1995 and took over as President in 2001 / 2002. He is remembered as a President who handled numerous projects. He was Treasurer in 1999 / 2000. As President he organised a very successful fund raiser named 'Mystique Hues'. His Lion Lady Bryoni as Lion Lady President organized an equally successful fund raiser named 'Festival of Dance & Drama'. Lion Lasantha extended the Lions Club of Peradeniya with Lion Daya Weeraratna MJF as Co-Extension Chairman. He also co-ordinated the projects funded by the Belgian Lion Roger Vanden Bossche under the Foster Parents Scheme, the construction of a few houses for the needy and the water service scheme at Aluthwatte Digana. He received the 10 year Chevron and the 100% Attendance Awards. He finally emerged as the Best President of the Region and the 1st runner up in the District Contest while the club too emerged as the runner up in the District Contest. Lion Lady Bryoni became the Best Lion Lady President that year.
Lion Lasantha was Zone Chairman 2002 / 03, Region Chairman 2003 / 04, Region Co-ordinator 2004 / 05, District Governor's Programme Co-ordinator 2005 / 06 and Steering Committee Secretary responsible for organising the District Convention in Kandy.
Lion Dudley Gunatilake was his Secretary.
38. 2002 / 2003: Lion Dr.Prasad Amaratunga
Lion Prasad was a Senior Lecturer of the Dental Faculty of the University of Peradeniya when he joined the Club in 1991. He is now the Dean of the Faculty. As President he was responsible for organising many health camps for the Club and the district in addition to a few other community service projects. He received the 15th year Chevron in 2006 and the 100% Attendance Award up to 2005 / 06. He further received the 100% President?s Excellence Award from Lions International. He served the District as District Chairman Health for several years. His Lion Lady Indrani was the President of the Lion Ladies that year.
Lion Prof.Don Senanayaka and Rukmal Salgado in turn served as Secretary.
39. 2003 / 2004: Lion Ernie Dassanayaka
of Sri Lankan culture. It was the capital of the last generation of Sri Lanka`s kings until it fell into the hands of the British in 1815.
