Category: Avenues

Spectra ’24: A Celebration of Talent and Unity

The Rotaract Club of the University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts, proudly hosted Spectra '24, the most anticipated talent show of the year. Held on October 8, 2024, at the New Arts Theatre, the event brought together a lively audience of 100, celebrating the diverse skills and creativity of students across the university. The show featured 16 performances, showcasing their talents in an impressive lineup of performances. Adding a unique touch, the items were presented in all three national languages, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and unity of the university community. Spearheaded by the Professional Development Avenue under the leadership of Director Sanuthi Wickramaachchi, alongside the dedicated efforts of Project Chairpersons Inura Déwasinghe and Vihangi Uswatta, their vision transformed the…

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Beach Cleanup: United for a Cleaner Coastline

On the 28th of September, the Environmental Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of the University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts, took a significant step towards environmental preservation by organizing a joint beach cleanup at Preetipura, Wattala. This initiative marked the first collaboration with the Rotaract Club of the University of Kelaniya, the Rotary Club, and the Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown. Together, these groups worked to tackle the pressing issue of coastal pollution while promoting teamwork and sustainability. The beach cleanup brought together dedicated volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to remove plastic waste, discarded fishing gear, and other litter from the shoreline. This effort went beyond tidying the beach—it aimed to highlight the harmful effects of marine pollution…

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Vibes & Vistas: Weaving Bonds, Crafting Memories

On the 4th of October, the Membership Development Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts hosted Vibes & Vistas—a picnic organized to bring members closer and strengthen bonds within the club. Held within the university premises, the event was organized by Rtr. Tharushi Dineshika, the Director of the Membership Development Avenue, and Chairperson Rtr. Menara Himandi. With careful planning and teamwork between the Organising Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors, the event came to life as an evening full of connection and laughter. The picnic began with a song session that set a positive tone for the day. Members, both new and old, mingled, sharing chatter and laughs that helped them form…

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Reading in a Fast-Paced World 

"BookTok" was a joint project organized by the Editorial and the Public Relations Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts, to unite book lovers and share valuable book recommendations. The project was spearheaded by Rtr. Janani Kumarasiri and Rtr. Chamodhi Peduruarachchi, directors of the Editorial Avenue, alongside Rtr. Mithahasini Rathnayake and Rtr. Uvinya De Zoysa, directors of the Public Relations Avenue. Under the leadership of the chairpersons, Rtr. Sarah Niyasdeen, Rtr. Sathmi Muthurathna and Rtr. Sasna Museen and with the active involvement of a dedicated organizing committee of around 20 members, "BookTok" went on for two months, from August to October 2024.   The goal of "BookTok" was simple but impactful: to create a platform for…

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Paws of Joy: Spreading Love to Our Furry Friends

"Happy Paws" was a project conducted by the Community Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Arts to brighten the day of the adorable fur babies at the Animal Welfare and Protection Association (AWPA) in Dehiwala. The Co-Directors of the Avenue, Rtr. Vibavi Rupage and Rtr. Ayadi De Alwis, the chairperson of the project, Rtr. Vihangi Uswattage, as well as the six members of the organizing committee made their way to the shelter on the 18th of October, with donations of dry rations, cleaning utensils, and other essential items to support the shelter’s work in keeping its almost 150 inmates, including injured and disabled dogs, well-fed and happy. A huge part of this project focused…

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The plight of the Crow Island Beach

Nestled in the north-west corner of Colombo city, in Modara—a location where one would scarcely expect it to be—is a once-beautiful stretch of sandy coastline with a fantastic view of the ocean. An area that could potentially rival Sri Lanka’s finest down-south beaches, without any of the travel hassle. By almost all counts, Crow Island Beach should be known by one and all. Yet, why is this beach seldom spoken of and, in fact, hardly even recognized? The sad truth is that, for all its potential charm, Crow Island Beach, in its theoretically fabulous locale, is overrun with trash. In an ideal world, being situated near the mouth of the Kelani River would make the area a picturesque natural haven—all…

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In the Realm of Military Service: A Conversation with Mrs. Sujanthi Namasinghe

In the field of military service, women are constantly breaking down gender stereotypes and advocating for equality through their professions. Through Beyond the Labels, we had the opportunity to speak with a retired Air Force Aero Instrument and Electrical Technician and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Mrs. Sujanthi Namasinghe, about her journey, experiences, and reflections on gender equality in the military. What inspired you to pursue a career in the military, and were there unique challenges you faced as a woman entering this field? I thought of joining the Air Force after seeing the beauty of their uniform. And I've always liked the Air Force Band. After seeing those things, I became interested in them and wanted to join the Air Force.…

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Nurturing Creativity: A Conversation with U. L. Thiyara Ranasinghe

U. L. Thiyara Ranasinghe is the proud owner of @Ytartsandcrafts, an Instagram-based hand-painted cards business she manages with her sister. We interviewed Ms. Ranasinghe as a part of the project ‘Beyond the Lables’, in order to get insights as to her motivation in starting this business, the hurdles she faced and her advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs, among other key aspects. The following are the questions we directed to Ms. Ranasinghe during the interview and her remarkable responses. What motivated you to start your business? Since we were kids, both of us were talented in art, and my sister and I used to make birthday cards for our parents as well as our best friends every year. They were quite…

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Beyond The Home: Unveiling The Invisible Sacrifices and Unspoken Challenges of Modern Housewives

Motherhood and marriage heavily impact a woman's professional journey. Many women have faced difficulties in balancing their family life and their career, and have often been forced to choose between one or the other due to societal pressure, economic burden or simply having no other choice. Kumari, a 51 years old woman who wishes to remain anonymous, tells us about her struggles of being a housewife and also a working mother. Can you tell us about the dreams or goals you had and if you were able to achieve them? (Were you forced to give up your dreams due to marriage, children or family commitments) I was actually quite ambitious when I was young. I was known as a workaholic,…

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Redefining Stereotypes: Girl’s Empowerment Through Sports

In a society where traditional gender roles often confine women to certain domains, sports stand as a prime example. Despite prevailing notions that sports are primarily for men, there are countless female athletes breaking through these barriers. Through our Beyond the Label project, we had the honor of conversing with one such remarkable athlete, A.M Chinthani VishmikaBandara in the University of Jaffna currently playing for Colombo Football Club. Her story echoes the journeys of women defying societal norms in sports.  1) How have you initiated your journey in the field of football professionally and as a woman what motivated you to pursue it professionally?  I started playing football at 8 years old, back in grade 3. It all began when I joined the school…

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