IN line with initiatives encouraging and supporting collaborative engagements between Sri Lanka and the Philippines through fellowship of business professionals and community leaders, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Manila organized an introductory virtual meeting between the officers of the Rotary Club of Colombo Reconnections (RCCR) and Rotary Club of Makati Circle of Friends (RCMCoF).
The meeting stemmed from the initial interaction between Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera and Professor Nelia Cruz Sarcol, president of the RCMCoF, on the Rotary Club’s interest to engage with their counterparts in Sri Lanka through a sister-club agreement and a collaborative project in education to assist deserving Sri Lankans through a scholarship program.
In her welcome remarks, Gunasekera expressed her appreciation to both clubs for their commitment to link-up and create a lasting change in communities, as she addressed social issues through leadership and expertise. The envoy also noted that a project in the field of information and communications-technology education was a timely initiative to step into the new normal with confidence.
Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, past president of the RCCR, coordinated on behalf of Sri Lanka the discussions with Rotarians: Pubudu De Soyza, who is the district governor of Sri Lanka and Maldives 2022/23; Sushena Ranatunga, who is district governor of Sri Lanka and Maldives 2023/24; and Rakitha Jayatunge, who is RCCR’s president. They welcomed the proposed sister-club agreement and collaborative project on education. Recognizing the vast benefits that the project will provide to Sri Lankan youth, they committed their full support on the venture.
Both parties agreed to exchange more detailed information and discuss further. A visit to Sri Lanka by the officers of the RCMCoF will also be scheduled within the first quarter of 2022.