Contents.
Editorial
RD’s message
Incoming RD
Regional training and
1st RB meeting
Media cover for
Convention
International News
Launching of Re-
gional web site
41st Regional
Convention pictures
Recipe Corner
New Regional team
Best Club award
Regional Awards
Kurunegal Club
service in pictures
Editor
Shane Balthazaar E mail
shane_balthazaar@h
otmail.com
Telephone 2811800 77 1978551 (M)
Y’s Men International
Sri Lanka Region Year 2015—2016 No.4 - April—June
Theme: "Love is shown in giving gifts and offering sacrifices" Slogan: "The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want"
Following Jesus is easier said than done. In moments of exhilara-
tion we may express desire to follow Him; yet when the idea
fades and the demands become great we turn our backs. To fol-
low Jesus requires more than just momentary feelings and fleet-
ing resolutions. Following Jesus
requires the urgency of a solid and
whole hearted response coupled
with realistic belief. There are a
lot of good natured, well man-
nered Men, Women and children
with pious and reli-
gious desires but then we must all
persevere much more. We are free
to follow him. We can devote
more time for Jesus. Our Faith
must progress. The Lord constitut-
ed the Church as a Community of
faith. So we must be loyal to our Church, be loyal to
our community of faith. A disciple is one who learns from the
Master. In the Christian faith Jesus is our Master. A disciple is
one who gazes and focus' on his Master's teachings. We in Y's
Dom work as per the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Month of
May was dedicated to the Mother of Jesus- the Son of God. "I am
the Handmade of the Lord and let it be done unto me...". Mary
chose wisely and she chose to be generous and that makes her
worthy of our praise Mary heeded God's invitation to be the
mother of the Messiah. She chose a project of a higher purpose, a
project of greater value. Communion and solidarity are what
we need and require, in this globalized but greatly divid-
ed world. We pray for unity. The grace of Our Lord jests Christ,
the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you
all. Amen.
KURUNEGALA CLUB COMMUNITY SERVICE IN PICTURES
The Y's Men's Club of Kurunegala does yeoman community service &
charitable acts during the recent Floods and landslides in May 2016
while also helping with their on going project with the Thalassemia ward
of the Kurunegala hospital
Page 3
From your editors desk
OUR BEAUTIFUL SRI LANKA Two thousand Five hundred plus years of civilization and culture in Sri Lanka.
This beautiful island home of OUR's has splendid weather right throughout
the year. Of course there are rare natural disasters but not so much as in compari-
son to other lands. The green emerald color island is a great sight from an air-
craft. It's all green everywhere you look. There are eight heritage sites and
many wonderful places to visit. A few locals still do not know the beauty and
marvels that our island is proud of. However some tourists from other lands visit
Sri Lanka many times over and over again, as they know! Our Island's splendor
of nature is unique. The majesty of the hill country the plains and mountains are
attractions. The climate too is favorable at all times. The majesty of Sigiriya, the
wild life safaris to Yala, Uda Walawe, Wilpathtu, Minneriya are unforgettable
and here we find what a lot of wild life in such well managed sanctuaries. Sri
Lankan's wake up daily to the beautiful sounds of birds at dawn.
Tea green carpets, Rubber estates and the Coconut palm estates are so beautiful
and methodically grown. The holy mountain where great Prophets visited, is an
unmatchable site and from the summit, a view all visitors admire. The Spices
like Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmegs etc. and Ceylon Tea are the best in the world.
Sri Lanka's Cashew nuts are the most tasty in the world...try it deviled or
cooked... it’s delicious. The gems are superb and for every ones Birthday there is
a birth Stone, as we refer to it. For example an Amethyst for a February born, a
blood stone for a March born. There are the Topaz, the Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sap-
phire and Yellow Sapphire and so on and so forth. This is "A GEM of A Land."
The cultural triangle is a reminder of our Ancient cities of the past where Kings
ruled mightily in the kingdoms of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and
Kandy culminating right up to the Kandyan Convention; where the last King was
captured by the British. Before the British Era here; the Portuguese and the Dutch
had occupied many parts of the Maritime provinces from 1505 to 1658 and from
1658 to 1796 respectively; whilst there were the country's Kings at Kotte, Jaffna
and Kandyan Kingdoms. The British made this is land a crown colony of their
empire and it was only in 1948 that Sri Lanka then Cey-
lon , got her Independence ; like so many other countries
in the then British Empire. Sixty five years since our
Independence; we are striving hard to be the Wonder of
Asia. The beauty of this Island is a fact recognized by all
travelers.
YM Shane Balthazaar
Page 2
Y’s Men International
Sri Lanka Region
Service Club in partnership with the YMCA
MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR
RD SAROJINI NAGENDRAN As we come to the end of another year of Y’s dom, at the outset I wish to
thank all the members of the regional board who made this year a success
with their dedication and team work. My very special thanks to secretary
Suranganie, who took her role seriously and worked beyond the call of her
duties.
This year, very special mention must also be made of treasurer Fredrick
Mohanraj, who has been able to complete and get the audited accounts of
the previous year’s which had been pending. Thank you, on behalf of the
entire board, for a job par excellence.
As an organization committed to Christian principals, we must remember
that we serve God and not man. Psalm 119 vs 45 “I shall walk in liberty
for I have sought your precepts. In my own life I have realized that when
we do not show understanding and compassion but are quick to anger, the
result is certainly not in “the teachings of Jesus Christ”.
A true story illustrating this is from passenger’s at an Airport where a unit-
ed airlines flight had been delayed and some irate passengers had been
yelling and screaming at the airline employees who in turn got angry and
reacted as such. However, one lady employee had been calm and gentle
and impressed everyone. Later on when a passenger had asked for her
name so that he could write to her employers she has replied, “oh no, I do
not work for them, I work for God”.
While congratulating RDE Prasantha De Silva and the incoming regional
board, let us firmly believe that we work for God and not for Man. Let us
count our blessings, be the “flowers that bloom and not be the leaves that
fall”.
So let us begin the year on a positive note, encouraging new members,
new clubs and making Y’s dom in Sri Lanka an instrument for His glory.
Sarojini Nagendran
Regional Director 2015/16
Page 4 Page 5
Y’s Men
International
Sri Lanka Region
Service Club in partnership with the YMCA Mr Prasantha De Silva joined Y's Men International Sri Lanka
Region in 2009. He joined the Y’s Men’s Club of Young Moratuwa. He
was the Club President in 2011-12. He rose fast to become the District Gover-
nor, SW District in 2012-13. DG Prasantha received a Brotherhood Fund
GRANT and visited Norway and Denmark with his Menette in 2014. He has
been a Regional Service Director of the Regional Board from 2012 to date.
RD Prasantha also serves as the Vice President of the Moratuwa YMCA from
2014 to date. He is a retired employee of the Peoples Bank and a loyal Old
Boy of his Alma mater, Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa.
In just 9 years, he has become the Regional Director of the Sri Lanka Region.
Well done RD Prasantha. May God bless you with success.
"To Acknowledge the Duty that Accompanies every Right"
INTERNATIONAL NEWS OF Y's DOM
* The 72nd Y's Men International Convention will be held from 4th to 7th August
2016 in Taipei, TAIWAN.(IC 72).
The Host Committee Chairman is ICHCC TUNG MING HSIAO.
* The International Youth Convention (IYC) will be held from 1st to 7th August in
Taipei, Taiwan.
* The World Malaria day was on the 25th April and it was an opportunity to pro-
vide anti- Malaria items to places
where the threat is and where the Malaria mosquito can rear its head again.
* TOF Global Project fund involves members skipping a meal and donating this
money through clubs to the Regional Treasurer.
* Y's Menettes are reminded to carry out programmes and projects on their own in
support of their clubs and the YMCA and their districts.
* Y's Men 's World Bulletin number 3 of 2015-16 is out, and can be read on the
web site and the Y's Youth publications are also on the web site for reference read-
ing.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2016-17
REGIONAL TRAINING AND 1st RB MEETING
for 2016-17 , on 10th July 2016.
As the incoming Regional Director for 2016- 17, I wish to express my sincere thanks
to all members who participated in the 41st Regional Convention, despite their person-
al commitments. It was a great encouragement to me to begin my period in office. I
personally hope that there will be more member participation in future activities of
the Y's Men's movement. I regret very much that I could not thank all of you individ-
ually. Hence, I am sending this message to thank all the members for their participa-
tion and support. As indicated, at the Regional Convention, the Regional Training and
the First Regional Board Meeting will be held on Sunday 10th July 2016 at the Auto-
mobile Association Auditorium. Colombo commencing at 10 am; followed by fellow-
ship and lunch. Therefore, I kindly invite the PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY
of each Club of Y’s Men International Sri Lanka region for this training session.
Please be informed that the Training will be conducted by RSD LT/OD ASD PAP
Rita Hettiarachchi. Every club is requested to inform the telephone numbers and
email addresses of the President and the Secretary of their clubs for the new term
2016-17; and also please inform them to keep the date free and attend the above
event. All the RSD’s too must kindly attend. Kindly confirm your participation by
e mail, phone or Sms to the Secretary of the RB before 5th July; as catering has to be
looked into.
Regards and all Good wishes,
Sincerely in Y's Dom;
Prasantha De Silva. RD 2016-17.
Page 6 Page 7
It was the Y’s year 2003/2004 and Y’s Lady Rita Hettiarachchi had just taken
over the mantle of leadership of the Sri Lanka Region. Though small in stature,
RD Rita dared to dream big. She wanted to expose the great work done by the
Sri Lanka Region to the whole wide world and what better way to do that but to
use modern technology. Thus was born, the idea of a Regional web site.
On the eve of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Wellawatte club at Hotel
School Colombo 3, RD Rita approached me and asked if I would help her with
her idea. I had already been involved in launching a web site for my old school,
St. Anthony’s College Kandy and so I readily agreed to call the guys who were
doing the college web site. Thus I introduced her to my contacts at Web Crea-
tions and the next day we spoke to Hiran Wickremanayake, the owner. Things
began to move quite fast from thereon.
RD Rita thus proposed the idea of having our own regional web site to the Re-
gional Board at the Board meeting held on 15th February 2004 at the NCY. The
board wished to call for a few quotations from reputed web companies at that
time. I wish to recall the notes of the subcommittee meeting held on the 26th
April 2004 at the NCY which commenced at 5.50pm with RD Rita Hettiarach-
chi (in chair), RS Jean Godlieb, RT Anton Kandiah and myself as PRO. It was
unanimously decided that the quote from Samanala (Web Creations) was the
most competitive. Several options for funding were discussed, keeping in mind
that, very soon, we may be called upon to pay the normal International dues,
without the subsidy we presently enjoy.
I wish to quote from the notes on Sub-Committee Meeting for launch of Web
Site.
Quote- “It was finally decided to propose that the cost of the Web site and other
Regional Administrative expenses should come from the interest earned from
the Regional Fund and the Musical Memories Regional Fund. Accordingly, the
combined totals of these funds should be built up to a minimum of Rs. 600,000/-
so that the interest earnings would be adequate to meet current annual Regional
Administration costs and the Web site maintenance cost”-Unquote.
Continued on page 7
The Board accepted their quote and I readily offered to assist with purchasing a
Domain from "GoDaddy", using my personal credit card for subsequent reim-
bursement by the board. I have continued to do so to date, even though I have
been in Florida for the past 7 years. Thank God for modern communication
technology.
With the approval of the Board, the contract was signed with Web Creations
(Pvt.) Ltd. on the10th of May 2004 and since that day RD Rita relentlessly
worked on the web design and its contents even though she had no prior experi-
ence in that field. She went to meet Hiran so many times and discussed how she
wanted it done. It was her sole creative idea to have the world map and search
for Sri Lanka, because sometime earlier, when she went on a partial grant to the
Norway International Convention, so many Y’s Men from the Scandinavian
countries asked her where Sri Lanka was exactly located. Hence she wanted to
show the visitors to our web site, exactly where Sri Lanka is located on the
world map. She also wanted them to recognize our National Flag and the shape
of our island.
She named the pages, created and designed them and the web providers set them
up for her. She was not at all a computer person and so had to spend many long
sleepless nights and days, searching for information and filling up all those pag-
es. She personally visited some PRDs to get information and photos from them
about their years of service because at that time many were not so conversant
with computers and had no internet access. She met them and got the correct
information but since she wanted to give everyone a pleasant surprise, she kept
the pages a secret, even from her Regional Secretary, Jean Godlieb. However,
she gave RS Jean the opportunity to read out all pages in front of the attendees
at the convention.
Thus the website, www.srilankaysmen.org was launched on the eve of the 19th
of June 2004 at the 29th Regional convention where the then International
President John Choa, Area President Chung Hyun Kwan and RD South East
Asia Region Wichian Boonmapajorn also witnessed the launching of the Sri
Lanka Regional web site. It was quite a grand occasion and I was privileged to
witness this historic event.
Many International members including past International Secretary General
Rolando Dalmas, PISG Ingvar Wallin, highly appreciated it. Later, RD Rita add-
ed the Y’s Men’s music to every page and they all loved it.
.
Malcolm Dias – Charter President, Dehiwela Club
MY MEMORIES OF THE LAUNCHING OF THE SRI LANKA REGIONAL WEB SITE Launching of Regional web site continued from page 6
Page 8 Page 9
41ST Y'S MEN INTERNATIONAL SRI LANKA REGIONAL CONVENTION IN COLOMBO ON 18TH JUNE 2016 AT HOTEL SAPPHIRE COLOMBO
The Chief Guest for the occasion was TUNG MING HSIAO of TAIWAN; who is also
the Host Chairman for the forth coming IC 72 at Taipei, Taiwan, scheduled for early
August 2016; The Guest speaker was Mr. M .A.SUMANDIRA who is presently a Mem-
ber of Parliament. The Y's Guy was YM Chinthana De Silva, a senior Y's Man from the
Colombo Club.
The youngest member in Y's Dom in Sri Lanka, RSD YY Natasha Balthazaar received
the chief Guest with RD Sarojini Nagendran . There was a good turn out from the clubs
at the event which was well organized by the convention committee Chairman; the new
incoming RD Prasantha De Silva and his convention committee. RDE 2016—17 YM
Ranaraj Serasinhe, Menettes Barbara Holsinger and Jeyakumari Phillips are in the pic-
tures too. The fellowship dinner and dancing that followed was really good and enjoyed
by one and all.
Page 10 Page 11
41ST Y'S MEN INTERNATIONAL SRI LANKA REGIONAL CONVENTION
Triple Dipped Fried Chicken
Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic salt 1 tablespoon
Ground black pepper 1 tablespoon
Paprika 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 1/2 cups beer or water
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces
Directions In one medium bowl, mix together 3 cups of flour, garlic salt, 1 tablespoon black pep-
per, paprika and poultry seasoning. In a separate bowl, stir together 1 1/3 cups flour,
salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, egg yolks and beer. You may need to thin with additional
beer if the batter is too thick.
Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Moisten each piece of
chicken with a little water, then dip in the dry mix. Shake off excess and dip in the wet
mix, then dip in the dry mix once more.
Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 15 to 18 minutes, or until well
browned. Smaller pieces will not take as long. Large pieces may take longer. Remove
and drain on paper towels before serving.
The future Regional
Directors and the past
Regional Directors are
ready to take the move-
ment forward
Members of the Dehi-
wala Club who are well
known for participating
in large numbers at Re-
gional events pose with
RD Sarojini and Chief
Guest TUNG MING
The Dehiwala Mem-
ber’s table at the Re-
gional Convention
Left –Right:
PAP Rita Hettiarachchi,
RD Sarojini Nagendran,
Chief Guest TUNG
MING HSIAO, RSD
Shane Balthazaaar (with
Best Club Bulletin Tro-
phy) and RDE Prasan-
tha De Silva
RECIPE CORNER
by RSD Natasha Balthazaar
Page 12 Page 13
SRI LANKA REGIONAL TEAM 2016/2017
Position Name Address E-Mail Address Contact No. 94+
(Res.& M)
Regional Director
YM Prasantha De Silva
No.28, “Conradia”, Lady De Soysa Drive, Uyana, Moratuwa
[email protected] [email protected]
om
0112646284 (Res.) 776557799 (M)
Regional Director Elect
YM Ranaraj Serasinhe
570, De Soysa Road, Moratuwa.
777791774 (M)
Regional Secretary
YL Suranganie Francis
271/2A, Galle Road, Idama, Moratuwa
2646687 (Res.) 774082453 (M)
Regional Treasurer
YM Fredrick Mohanraj
31/B, Obberi-yawatta, Kochchikade
0312273176 (Res.) 725200156 (M)
Immediate Past Re-gional Di-rector /RSD
YL Sarojini Nagendran
17, School Lane, Co-lombo -3
2508407 (Res.) 777412002 (M)
District Governor – South Western
YM Errol Gibson
39/1A,Lady Evelyn De Soysa Road, Idama, Mora-tuwa
2645069 (Res.) 714398568 (M)
District Governor- Central /Eastern
YM Sarath Ariyara-thne
61/1, Malka-duwawa Cir-cular Road, Kurunegala
374901752 (Res.) 777281217 (M)
RSD – Al-exander Scholar-ship Fund
ASD/PRD Anton Kan-diah
4, Gan-gadhara Mawatha, Rathmalana
om
2725238 (Res.) 718788805 (Mob.)
Position Name Address E – Mail Address Contact No.94+
(Res.& M)
RSD Broth-erhood Fund
PRD Du-shanthi Latino
24, 6/8, Sea-gull Court, Initium Road, Dehi-wela
dushan-
774193613 (Mob.)
RSD Bulle-tin / Public Relations
YM Shane Balthazaar
86, Rupasiri Mawatha, Mirihana, Nugegoda
m
2811800 (Res.) 771978551 (M) 727524754 (M)
RSD – Christian Emphasis
YM V,Ariyaratnam
24, Dr. E.A.Cooray Mawatha, Colombo - 6
ariyara-
2552519 (Res.) 777324399 (M)
RSD – En-dowment Fund & Menettes
YL Srima-thi De Saram
222/6, Or-chid Hall Road, Weha-ra, Kurune-gala
372233458 (Res.) 775835600 (M)
RSD-Ext., Memb. Cons./YES Ext./Green Team
PRD Godfrey Francis
271/2A, Galle Road Idama , Moratuwa
2646687 (Res.) 771600967 (M)
RSD – Fund Rais-er
YM Anil Mendis
43, Uyana Road, Mora-tuwa
anilmen-
2648151 (Res.) 777350695 (M)
RSD - His-torian, Supplies
YM Nihal Fernando
-WILL BE INFORMED
- -
RSD – In-ternational Brother Clubs
IPRD Saro-jini Nagen-dran
17, School Lane, Co-lombo -3
2508407 (Res.) 777412002 (M)
SRI LANKA REGIONAL TEAM 2016/2017
Page 15 Page 14
We say ‘CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF YOUNG MORA-
TUWA on being adjudged ‘BEST CLUB’ in the Sri Lanka Region for their outstand-
ing service to the community and the Sri Lanka Region during the year.
The picture shows PRD RSD YM GODFREY FRANCIS: the President of the Y's
Men's Club of Young Moratuwa receiving the trophy for the BEST CLUB in 2015-16
from the Chief Guest as RD Sarojini Nagendran looks on.
SRI LANKA REGIONAL TEAM 2016/2017 BEST CLUB AWARD 2015/2016
Position Name Address E – Mail Address Contact No.94+
(Res.& M)
RSD Lead-ership Training/OD/Web Master STEP/YEEP
ASD/PAP Rita Het-tiarachchi
114/2, Queens Park, D.M. Colombage Mawatha, Nawala, Nugegoda
ritahet-
2827248 (Res.) 774197109 (M)
RSD – Time of Fast
YL Sugi Thevaba-lasingham
17 3/1, Gregory’s Road, Dehiwela.
om
718499913 (M)
RSD – Travel Co-ordinator RSD – Y’s Men Liai-son YMCA /RSD Community Service
YM Deepthi Perera
34, De Mel Road, Lax-apathiya, Moratuwa
di-muthk@hotmail.
com
2610280 (Res.) 714727564 (Mob.)
RSD Youth Involve-ment & Ac-tivities / Repre-sentative
NGS/National Council of YMCAs
Mr.Charles Brownson
C/o, NCYMCA, 143, St. Michel’s Road, Co-lombo -3
AWARDS AT THE 41ST REGIONAL CONVENTION.
Young Moratuwa won eight trophies, including the best club award for 2015-16.
Alexander scholarship fund - Young Moratuwa
Time of fast - Young Moratuwa
YMCA services -Young Moratuwa
International Brotherhood clubs -Young Moratuwa
Inter Club activities -Young Moratuwa
Community Services projects -Young Moratuwa
Brotherhood fund -Young Moratuwa,Colombo, Kurunega-
la, Moratuwa,Wellawatte
Best Menettes club trophy -Moratuwa
Best Club Bulletin trophy - Dehiwela
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT:
*A Special Certificate of Merit was presented by the Chief guest to The DEHIWE-
LA CLUB for a special community service project where Electric Water pumps,
pipelines, cemented water storage tanks, taps and showers; were provided to a vil-
lage of 200 persons in the Batticaloa District.
*KURUNEGALA CLUB won a Certificate of Merit for their noteworthy
community services.