Leo club of Horana Metro

Gilan Pasa Poojawa & Seth-Pathamu Meth-Wadamu

The continuous religious project Seth pathamu-Meth wadamu was continued in the month of December and was held on the 10th Friday. This time also the Bodhi Pooja was carried out at the Vidyarathna Temple Horana and the key reason was to bless the Leos from the club who were attempting the G.C.E. Ordinary Level exams on the month of December 2010.

Out of the many Leos who were sitting for the O/L exams Leos Chethika, Barana, Pasindu and Achintha were present even though it was only two days before their exams, as well as the Club president Leo Hiranya and other Leos were also present for the pooja, namely Leos Laksri, Lochana, Dulmi and Wathmi.

The Bodhi Pooja was sponsored by the willing families of Leos Chethika and Barana with a gross value of about Rs.1200. The monthly Gilan Pasa Pooja project for the month of December was also donated by the same two Leos with a gross expense of Rs. 5000 for all the material for the preparation of tea and the biscuits for the several hundred people who were present at the temple.

The Gilan-pasa poojawa was also continued for the month of December on the 20th December which held the Unduwap Poya Day. The Leos as usual got together and prepared tea for the evening Gilan pasa for those who had observed sil at the Vidyarathna Temple Horana.

Multiple Leo Walks

ThirupparanOn behalf of the Leo Multiple District Council 306 the “Green Together “Leo Walk 2010 was organized on the 4th December 2010.

Organizing club details as follows:

1. Moratuwa Orient
2. Colombo Host
3. Horana Metro
4. Polgasowita
5. Colombo North
6. Wattala
7. Colombo Circle
8. Colombo City
9. Kolannawa
10. Wickramasinghrpura
11. Ananda College
12. Mahanama College
13. Pamunugamuwa

Participation Details as follows:

District 301A1 - 42
District 301A2 - 63
District 301B1 - 08
District 301B2 - 54
District 301C1 - 57
District 301C2 - 158
Total participation – 382

Leos The proceedings are as Follows: Due to the heavy rain on the day the Leos were asked to move from Mahanama College to Lions activity centre. Leo district president of district 306C1 Leo Dileka de Silva gave the welcome address and then the Leo multiple district president addressed the gathering.

The Camp fire by Leo Club of Kolannawa & Mahanama College commenced around 6.30 pm. The Camp Fire, with loads of fun activities and songs went on till 8.30pm which was followed by a BBQ dinner.

Drinks were served to the Leos during the indoor camp fire. Leo Multiple District 306 also awarded the highest participating club, highest participating district and appreciation awards for bringing highest participation from a district and also the organizing club presidents were also recognized by the chairperson which was followed by the address of the chairperson.

Most Outstanding Participation – Club – Leo Club of Ananda Colege

Most Outstanding Participation – District – District 306C2

Appreciation for supporting highest participation from a district awarded to Leo Club of Ananda College and Leo Club of Mahanama College. The vote of thanks was proposed by Multiple District Presiden Leo Kamal Jayattilake. After the camp fire Leos enjoyed the DJ night and the day full of fun reached it close by 11.00pm.

Leo Sivapathasundaram Thirupparan
Chairperson –Leo Walk 2010

Contribution to the Jayawardena Elder’s Home

A joint project was organized by the following Leo clubs to help the Suwasetha Social Service Society, Kesbewa at the Perahera Procession held on the evening of the Saturday the 2nd of October.
o Leo Club of Piliyandala
o Leo Club of Horana Metro
o Leo Club of Mathugama
o Leo Club of Moragahahena
o Leo Club of Kalubowila

This Perahera was held in celebration of the newly opened “Baudha Mandira” at the Jayawardana Home for Elders, Kesbewa. Unfortunately no photographs could be caught of this magnificent occasion by the Leos as it was a heavily raining evening, and it was even in that dire conditions that the procession moved on showing the commitment and dedication of all those who were a part of this service project. A letter of appreciation sent by the Hon. Secretary Mr G. K. Thilakarathne for the services rendered by the Leos who were present there is attached as an annex at the end of this report.

Leo Trip

Organizing Clubs,
o Leo Club of University of Moratuwa
o Leo Club of Horana Metro
o Leo Club of Piliyandala
o Leo Club of Dehiwala East

From Horana to Damblulla Total distance is 188x2 = 376km

White Cane Day

The White Cane day which is held in every year on the 15th of October was celebrated by the Leos of 306A1 and 306A2 on the 17th Sunday at the NAITA Centre Katubedda with the Lions District 306A1. The Leo Club of Horana Metro was represented by Leos Laksri, Chameera and Lochana for this unforgettable service project for those who need our helping hand to see into a future with some light in their lives. The occasion was mainly organized by the Lion Daya Wijethunga of District 306A1 (A letter of appreciation is attached as an annex at the end of this report) and after a formal ceremony the white canes was distributed among those who were in need present there. Furthermore medications were distributed too.
The White Cane Day though not considered by many is an outstanding opportunity to reach out and touch the hearts of those in need by the Leos, and on that day it was exactly what happend!

Leo ADIC drug prevention workshop and sticker campaign

The Project
The Leo Club of Horana Metro in association with the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre Sri Lanka organized a workshop on drug prevention targeting the youth of our community. August being the month with the International Youth Day on the 12th the project was a service project aiming the youth of our country.

The Partners
ADIC is an organization working in the field of drug demand reduction over last 15 years. During this period they have contributed substantially by introducing innovative and scientific based drug demand reduction strategies in Sri Lanka and to other countries especially in SAARC Region. The successful efforts to create a lasting change in communities by changing behaviours has been recognized by the World health Organization in 1993 by awarding ADIC with the prestigious WHO award, “Tobacco or Health Medal”.

The Event
The workshop commenced at 10am of the Saturday morning of 28th August at the Horana Town Hall with the presence of 15 guests from neighbouring schools, the target group of youth, 13 Leos of Horana Metro and a Leo visiting from the Leo Club of Piliyandala as well as 7 Lions of the Lions Club of Horana Metro.
Three very well experienced and trained instructors were there as resource personnel from the ADIC and the workshop started with a session on tobacco, cigarettes and brand promoting schemes of the cigarette companies conducted by Mr Sameera. This most enlightening session was succeeded by a group activity with more emphasis on alcohol and the paradigms that we ourselves have created around alcohol which was very interesting.
As the time flew and when everybody realized that there are initiatives that can be taken into action even by the Leos everybody gathered their courage and wits to carry out a sticker campaign in the neighbouring bus stand of Horana.

The Sticker Campaign
The task assigned was simple. To paste stickers on busses that had a message for all those who consume alcohol to think about. But to step out into the field and to execute it required great enthusiasm and courage. And a little bit of wits to tackle the raised eye-brows of the bus drivers and conductors from who a majority are alcohol consumers. The task was simple yet it carried the message in an attempt to change the attitudes of the youth of our community by the youth taking part in Leoism. It was a good deed to carry out, a challenging one, a good experience and on top of it all, it was fun!

Dengue Awareness Program
This was organised by Leo Club of Horana Metro and Lions Club of Horana Metro.
The procession started at Lion Ajith Ariyarathne’s premises in the town and proceeded around the town demonstrating people about Dengue, the danger of it and the importance of prevention with the aid of placards, slogans. Verbal announcements were made in a musical way so that the attention of the people could be easily taken.
To carry out the project successfully following project committee was established.
Project Chairman - Leo Lochana
Project Committee - Leo Laksri
Leo Chalitha
Leo Lochana was very much successful in her task and she worked hand in hand with the Lions club Secretary Lion Harsha Kumbukage and also the 15 Lions Club members who were present. (Please refer the registration forms on the Lions Clubs of Horana Metro’s Secretary’s report for the month of August)
Short street play displayed by Leos how dangerous dengue is and displayed the message to the audience interestingly enhancing an understanding in them about the activities of the dengue mosquito.
Leaflets and brochures were distributed among the people who were gathered in the town. Later the procession moved to the Sunday pola where PHI officers and some other health sector officers joined with Leos and Lions to make people understand the true value of preventing such disease.

International Twinning Program with Leos of Nepal
Month of August is a very special month for Leo Club of Horana Metro as they got the opportunity to work hand in hand with two foreign Leo clubs, Leo Club of Butwal and Leo Club of Siddharthnagar. Leos of Horana Metro consider this twinning as one of the victorious things the club has ever achieved.
As per a request made by Leos of Horana Metro , Leo Isuru Senadheera previous international relations director (2009/2010) introduced us to the District President of Leo District 325B(Nepal) Leo Jeewan Shrestha. It was with the help of Leo Jeewan that Leos of Horana Metro ultimately found the above mentioned two clubs.
The responsibility of carrying out the project was given to the following project committee.
Project Chairman - Leo Hiranya
Project members - Leo Poorni
Leo Sandun
It should be noted that the whole twinning was pre planned as per a request made by the project committee as all three of them were expecting a visit to Nepal and India for a period of 16 days, which will help them to meet their foreign Leo friends.
The relationship between two clubs got further increased after meeting the Leos of Butwal and Siddharthnagar on the 11th of August at the Nepal border. It was with pleasure that they decided to join with us to visit the sacred land of Lumbini where we got the opportunity to send some more time together.

The following Leos and Lions were present on the date
Leos from Horana Metro
Leo Hiranya Perera (Club President)
Leo Poorni Wijesiri (Director)
Leo Sandun Wijesiri (Director) 25
Leos from Butwal
Leo Sandeep Kasaudhan (President)
Leo Ramkumar Shrestha (Past President)
Leo Neelam Shrestha (Director)
Leo Anurana (Director)
Leo Mahesh Khanal (Tail Twister)
Leos from Siddharthnagar
Leo Nabin Gc (President)
Leo Saurav (Member)
Lions / Lion Ladies
Lion Dr.Vajira Perera (Leo Advisor) and L/L Pushpani
Lion Lalith Wijesiri (Charter President) and L/L Darshana
Lion Saman Sarathchadra
Lion Elmar Jayawardene and L/L Sumana
Lion H D Pathinayake and L/L Sujatha
Lion Indika Gunasekara
Lion Dammika Priyantha
And
10 Lions of Lions Club of Butwal
To make this event a success the three presidents extended a few words to mark the moment more memorable. Leo president Leo sandeep kasaudhan presented Leo club of butwal pin and Leo club of butwal club directory 2010/2011 as a token of love to members of Leo club of Horana Metro , in exchange Leos of horana metro provided us some Sri Lankan souveniers.
After bidding farewell to Leos of Butwal Leo Nabin GC invited us for a small tea party at their Lions Activity Centre. A very warm welcome was given by Lions of Siddharthnagar where Leo Advisor, two Leo presidents and the Lions president addressed the audience. 26
To mark the occasion a memorable one the Lions president presented some tokens to the Leo advisor and to the Leo president of Horana Metro. This particular programme has helped the Leos of Horana Metro to spread the name of their club beyond the boundaries of the country. It should also be noted that Leos of Horana Metro still keep in touch with all their foreign Leo friends.

Gilan-Pasa Poojawa and Poson Dansala

The decision to organize and execute a “Dansala” was taken on the previous directors board meeting and as it was the month of June, with the “Poson Poya Day” it was decided that the Leos of Horana Metro will organize a gilan-pasa dansal at the premises near Vidyarathne Temple Horana.
As this project was held on a poya day the Leos took on the responsibility of distributing gilan pasa for the hundreds of people at the temple who have observed sil on that day as well.
After the preliminary phase of the project including taking permission from the temple and the local authorities were done the efforts were put to find the necessities for this project which achieved with the donations by several Lions and parents of the Leos.
On the day of the project the Leos came to the temple at 2pm and the preparation of the beli-mal for the gilan-pasa poojawa was on the way. Then it was distributed by the Leos with hakuru to go with it.
After the gilan-pasa poojaawa the full concentration was on the beli-mal and flower dansala outside the temple. Hundreds of people enjoyed a hot cup of beli-mal on their way to the Vidyarathne temple as well as many pilgrims on the road off to see Poson celebrations. It is very important to remind the presence of Regional director Leo Kaneel Maddumage for this project.

The dansala went on for hours and finally was concluded around 9pm with leaving a happy and contempt feeling in everybody’s’ hearts’.

1. Leo Car Wash 2009

With the participation of twenty seven club members and advisor the project “car wash” could be done greatly.

On the 6th of December near to Vidyarathne temple from 9.00 p.m. onwards all leos were hard working and we enjoyed well. Multiple Leo President; Leo Sadeepa Palliyaguru, District President; Leo Dumindu Jayakody,

Regional/Zone Directors; Leo Kaneel Madumage, Leo Kasun Pathirana, Leo Dileepa Jayakody, Leo District Council Officer; Leo Pavithra Goonathilake and two other Leos; President of Leo Club of Polgasowita, Leo Gaya Attygalle, Vice President of Leo Club Of Werahera, Leo Gayan Chamara were with us along the day.

Also, twenty one guests and twenty three Lions and Lion ladies attended for the project and became a good strength to us.

2. Sale of stickers.

As a continuous project, all the Leos were given the opportunity to sell 10 stickers and the price was decided as 200/= and 50/= each. The value of the project was Rs.3600/= and as a result of good fund raising project we could earned a net profit of Rs.15400/== at 31st of December.