Toastmasters International is a worldwide non-profit educational organization empowering individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
Since its inception in 1983, Sri Lanka Toastmasters has a nearly 30-year legacy that has produced excellent speakers, produced a Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking and a Toastmasters International President.
In 2020, after a rich 14-year history collaborating with India, Sri Lanka was inaugurated into its own district.
In its first year, District 82 successfully continued its district mission to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence, ranking World #1 in Clubs with 20+ members, World #5 in Membership Payments, World #2 in Distinguished Club status, and World #1 in Pathways Enrolment.
With the appointment of the new Executive Committee 2021/2022, Sri Lanka Toastmasters will continue this proud tradition of excellence and bear the torch of Toastmasters International so that the country will shine on the world stage.
Srianthie Salgado, DTM, has been appointed as the District Director. Leveraging her extensive experience in education, Srianthie will lead D82 Toastmasters Sri Lanka overseeing and managing the District’s daily operations.
She will work closely with the District leaders to help fulfill these responsibilities and empower the District leadership team to work together toward the District mission, while supporting them in their development as a leader.
She has been a member of Toastmasters since 2005 and brings over 15 years of experience in strategic planning and procedure development to her mission in strengthening each club in the district by providing the tools and knowledge needed to enhance the Pathways program delivering quality speeches.
This includes a focus on taking the District to greater heights as Toastmasters enters a new era of Pathways. Srianthie is a member of Lyceum Toastmasters Club – Nugegoda.
Nisal Weerakoon, DTM, has been appointed as the Program Quality Director.
Nisal is the former Club Growth Director 2020/2021.
He will lead District 82 in all aspects of education and training within the District, where he will drive the support of quality club programming efforts, promoting the Distinguished Club Program, and planning and executing the District conference.
A member since 2013, he will bring his extensive experience in Toastmasters to continue the legacy of D82 and support the District mission.
Nisal is a member of Voice of Colombo Toastmasters Club.
Mahinda Karunakara, DTM, has been appointed as the Club Growth Director.
Mahinda will oversee all aspects of marketing, club-building, member- and club-retention efforts within the District, and define an overall marketing strategy for the District, developing outreach and retention efforts with existing community and corporate clubs.
As the Club Growth Director, Mahinda will support challenged clubs to help them become Distinguished.
A member since 2006 and with over 30 years of working experience, his aim is to support the District mission and promote Toastmasters across the country so that all citizens may benefit from the skills gained in leadership and public speaking. Mahinda is a member of Bcis Toastmasters Club.
Concurrent with these appointments, District 82 announced the new Division Directors for 2021/2022:
Division A – Shanaka Wijesinghe, DTM from Dialog Toastmasters Club
Division B – Jeewana Pradeep, TM from AATSL Emerging Toastmasters Club
Division C – Selvendran Mariathasan, DTM from Braybrooke Toastmasters Club
Division D – Lankika P Ariyasinghe, TM from Bank of Ceylon Toastmasters Club
Division E – Moditha Sendanayake, DTM from Horana Toastmasters Club
Division F – Eranga Dilhan, TM from Siyane Toastmasters Club
Division G – Rasika Senaratne, DTM from Pinnacle Advanced Toastmasters Club
Division H – Mohamed Rifnaz, DTM from Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club
Division I – Hisham Yasir, DTM from Expolanka Toastmasters Club
Finance Manager – Ruwan Jayasooriya, DTM from Siyane Toastmasters Club
Administration Manager – Viruli de Silva, TM from The Colombo Toastmasters Club
Public Relations Manager – Inshaf Mohammed, DTM from Voice of Colombo Toastmasters Club
Immediate Past District Director – Noorul Munawwara, DTM from Kandy Toastmasters Club
“Nisal and Mahinda each bring expertise and experience to support the District mission, uphold the legacy of Toastmasters, and to take District 82 to new heights in the future,” said Srianthie Salgado.
“Their leadership further strengthens and empowers our District leadership team and the clubs to capitalize on the opportunities that Pathways offers so that every member can fulfill Ralph Smedley’s ideals at Toastmasters, where leaders are made.”
She added, “I am delighted to welcome all the Division Directors.
Each and every one brings years of dedication, sound judgment, and strategic acumen that will serve us well in fulfilling our mission.”
All appointments are effective from July 1 2021.
Please visit www.d82.org for more information about Toastmasters District 82 or follow them on Facebook (D82Toastmasters) or Instagram (@d82tm).
If you wish to be part of this vibrant community, visit www.toastmasters.org/find to find a club near you.
About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, the organization's membership exceeds 358,000 in more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries.
Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders.
For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org.
Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.