Best speaker Magazine Issue 2 - December 2017 | Seite 61

Q
In the following years, what
kind of progress did you expect
in the club? Has the club achieved
that progress?
As members of the first Gavel Club of Sri
Lanka, from the University of Kelaniya,
we wanted it to continue serving its
objectives, functioning as a non-political
organization. Most of all, we wanted it to
help the emerging generations to improve
themselves. I am so happy to say that the
improvement of the Gavel Club is clearly
beyond my expectations.
Q
If you are the president of
the club now instead of then,
what kind of changes would you
implement in the club?
My era and your era are different. Thirteen
years is a long period of time and there
are lots of changes that have taken place.
If I am the President of the Gavel Club
now, than then, I would try to link the
Club with good corporate entities and top
companies of the island. Other than that,
the core values would be the same because
I strongly believe that, it is the core which
takes the thread through.
Q
Whom would you like to thank
for this journey of 13 years?
I am proud to be the First president. I
couldn’t get involved in the club activities
much and I look forward to be a part of
the activities. All Gaveliers deserve to be
thanked, everyone who has contributed
to the success of Gavel. As the first
President of the University of Kelaniya
Gavel Club, having seen the struggle to
form the club and having witnessing the
present status of the Club, I believe that,
it is the ‘determination’ of the Gaveliers
that has paved the Club to come along
this successful journey. Special thanks go
to Mr. Sujith Bandulahewa who laid the
foundation to develop the passion and
enthusiasm in us. We should be thankful
to each and every person who helped
us on this journey. I can recall a person
named Sampath in the CGU, who used
to come on Sundays and open the doors.
We should be thankful for them because
if not for them, this journey would have
been more hectic.
Q
What do you state as the
positive feature of current
Gaveliers?
The current Gaveliers are more advanced.
We were not much exposed to social
media. You have new ways of exploring
new things. We did not have laptops. Even
if we went to the lab, we had to wait till a
computer was vacant. I am happy to say
that you have used the technology for
the betterment of the Club. I want to be
thankful for the current Gaveliers. Even if
we are not very involved, I see the effort
taken for every event. I am contacted and
informed about the progress, and that
should be appreciated. That’s also one of
the reasons for maintaining this success.
That is a blessing for the Gavel club.
Q
Finally, what is your message
to all the Gaveliers and to-be
Gaveliers out there?
This is a great opportunity in the Sri
Lankan University culture. I would like
if all Gaveliers make the best of it. While
concentrating on self-development, it is
necessary to support the colleagues and
friends in their improvement as well. It
is also important to inject a diplomatic
effort when carrying out certain activities,
because above all, what matters is touching
the hearts of people.
Her experience in Gavel made her wiser
and hence her success still continues. Being
a woman and initiating the Gavel club
matters a lot, in which the tremendous
efforts taken by her shines, highlighting
her tremendous courage. We sincerely
hope that her story will help you to get
the courage and confidence to move out
from your comfort zone. Gavel welcomes
everyone to gain knowledge and taste
success without any judgement.
But everything lies within getting started!
Everything requires a courageous starting
point.
BEST SPEAKER MAGAZINE 2017
61