Leo Clubs are a youth organization of Lions Club International. Leo clubs encourage youth to enhance their leadership qualities and their personality by participating in social services activities. The first Leo club was founded in 1957 by Jim Graver who was the baseball coach of Abington High school, Pennsylvania and an active member of Glen Side Lions club with the helped of another Lion William Ernest. The Leo club program became a sponsored programme of Lions club International in 1964.LEO stands for,
- Leadership – Leo’s develop their skills as project organisers
- Experience - They learn team work and cooperation. Leos can bring about change in the community.
- Opportunity- Leo’s gain opportunities like to excel develop positive character traits and receive recognition for their contribution. Leo objective is to provide the youth of of the world with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively as responsible members of the local, national and international community.
WHAT IS OUR CLUB?
Leo club of University of Colombo Faculty of Arts was founded in 30th of November 2018. The parenting Lions club of Leo club of University of Colombo Faculty of Arts is Lions club of Colombo New Century Titans. Our Leo club belongs to Leo District 306 A1. Senior treasurer is Dr. Ajith Balasooriya, Department of International Relations, University of Colombo Faculty of Arts. Leo advisor is Lion Dilshan Ravisara and charter president is Leo Iyanthi Wickramasinghe.
Presidents so far in our club,
- Leo Iyanthi Wickramasinghe
- Leo Oshani Pallage
- Leo Malmi Kuruppu
- Leo Sajani Wijesuriya
- Leo Rasani Sonali
We have done more than 300 projects for the past few years. All of them are sustainable and innovative on-site and online projects. Leos conduct projects with the purpose of achieving 16 SDGs in many categories.
- Responsible consumption & waste management
- Youth empowerment
- Helping hand to differently-abled
- Poverty and better life
- peace, religious and cultural activities
- wildlife and life below water
- quality education
- Women empowerment
- Disaster management
- Infrastructure development
Some of the main projects that we conducted are,
- Sip diriya
- Emerging Spark
- nature unleash
- I care
- we are strong
- Ecotopia
- Hope for diabetes
- A better tomorrow
- Fem force
- Flip side story
LEO IYANTHI PRAMODYA UNAMBOOWE
It is with great pleasure and honour that I write this message for the fifth year celebration of Leo club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts. Back in 2018, hand full of young, dedicated undergraduates from the Faculty joined my idea of establishing this club as to make a better future for Arts undergraduates especially in regard of their leadership, attitude and skills. As the first President of the club, I’m genuinely & humbly proud of myself and with my small team for offering the rare opportunity to make a significant difference in our community as young leaders, together with the potential and the prospects of the undergraduates at the Faculty of Arts.
Leo club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts has come a long way with multiple leaderships for five long years. I dreamed of a club and prayed for it to walk a long way for countless years ahead serving the whole globe without a limit. It was remarkable to have a growth record of over 150 members & over 17 community service projects within the first year of its establishment and winning the 2nd place for Most Outstanding New Leo Club at the Multiple District Conference and being the Winner for the Most Outstanding New Leo Club at the Annual Leo District Conference.
My Leo journey continued for one more year as I was appointed as the District Secretary for the Leo District 306 A1 and I was much privileged to serve for that particular position on the second year of my Leo Journey. I consider it to be a very rare opportunity a Leo can get but I’m sure that my passion, hard work, eagerness to accept new challenges made me win over all difficulties and reach my goals.
I’m always grateful for the former Dean of the University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Premakumara De Silva and our Staff Advisor, Dr. Ajith Balsooriya for being the leading light providing the guidance and supervision we needed to create a sustainable and a progressive club. In addition, I am thankful to the constant support and guidance the club received from the sponsoring Lions Club, Lions club of Colombo New Century Titans and from the Leo District 306 A1. Most importantly, I thank all the past presidents of the club who fearlessly took the baton to climb greater heights, all the Executive Committee leaders and all other Leo members for their extreme commitment and endeavors that have helped elevate the club to its maximum potential.
I request all the new Leo Leaders including the current president Leo Rasani Sonali and all other fellow Leos to deliver on our collective and individual promise and commitment to serve by carrying out continuous and regular service projects to the less fortunate in our society, and for the environment that we live in, by utilizing all possible opportunities to gain the required experience for becoming tomorrow's leaders today. It is my hope that our club will serve the community for more years ahead and will become a dynamic LEO Club in the world.
I proudly appreciate the multitude of activities carried out so far by the club for five years and they indeed showcase your wonderful commitment to uphold the great values of Leoism. Being thankful to all who have being there for the club, finally I wish our club to continue regular services to the society for many years in the future giving life to hidden talents in the Faculty of Arts. I heart fully wish all of you the best to achieve a remarkable success to our club.
