Passing the Baton: A New Era Begins
Our Rotaract Club of the University of Moratuwa recently experienced one of those truly special moments—the kind that reminds you why you’re part of something bigger than yourself. It was our annual Transition Ceremony, held on July 13th at the Royal College Union Skill Centre, where we said goodbye to one amazing leadership team and welcomed a new one with open arms.
The atmosphere that day was something magical. The sun was out, casting a warm glow over the gathering, and you could feel the energy in the air—this perfect mix of nostalgia for the past year and excitement for what was coming. We were all there to celebrate the outgoing board, led by the ever-charismatic Rtr. Yasiru Athugaldura. Their leadership brought so much to the club over the past year, and they had the achievements to show for it. The pinnacle of their success was at the 34th Rotaract District Assembly, where they shined brightly. As Dr. Ranga Rodrigo aptly acknowledged, their dedication was an inspiration to all. It was hard not to feel proud of all they had done.
Then came the moment we’d all been waiting for—the passing of the baton. Watching Rtr. Yasiru gracefully hand over the leadership to our newly elected President, Rtr. Hiruni Perera, was something special. You could see the excitement in Hiruni's eyes as she accepted the challenge ahead. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and as she laid out her vision for the upcoming year, I think we all felt that spark of anticipation. This wasn’t just another year for the club—it was going to be something incredible.
When Hiruni introduced the new Board of Officials, it was clear that the club was in great hands. You could see the confidence in each member, and the trust that had already been built. But it wasn’t all formalities. The whole event felt more like a family gathering than a formal ceremony. There were so many shared stories, heartfelt “thank-yous”, and moments of pure joy that it reminded me of why Rotaract is so much more than just a service club. We’re building lifelong friendships here.
And that’s what made the Transition Ceremony so memorable—it wasn’t just about passing on responsibilities; it was about celebrating everything we’ve been through together and everything that’s still to come. By the end of the day, we all felt this sense of renewed purpose. We were ready to take on the new chapter under our new theme, “Serving Today, Inspiring Tomorrow.”
Looking around at everyone, I couldn’t help but feel confident that our Rotaract Club would continue to be a beacon of hope and change in the community. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but with the passion, dedication, and friendships we’ve built, I know we’ll make a real difference. Here’s to a new era, with new challenges, new memories, and the same unwavering spirit of service.
