Welcome to another exciting episode of the 2025 edition of the Center Stage Interview Series, proudly brought to you by the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo Faculty of Management and Finance. Today, we’re honored to be joined by a passionate leader—someone who embodies big energy, bold ideas, and a spirit of transformation. A past leader who continues to raise the bar, he now serves in the Joint Directorate for Professional Development. He is none other than our Immediate Past President – Rtr. Yasiru Athugala Arachchi.
We’re kicking things off with the Rotaract Roundup Session – here are some of the questions we asked him.
- What was your first ever Rotaract project, and what did you learn from it?
“My first Rotaract project was… I don’t recall the exact name, but I can say it was a learning curve. From that project, I understood how things work practically—coordination, communication, and teamwork. It was a solid foundation for the journey ahead.”
- What motivated you to take on leadership roles within Rotaract?
“After the first two to three years, the Road to Rotaract journey seemed to be nearing its end. But I realized I still had things to do—for my community, society, and my own club. I believed I could make the world a better place. That belief is what motivated me to take up leadership.”
- What was the most unexpected challenge you faced as a Rotaractor?
“We organized a concert back in 2020, which turned out to be incredibly challenging. Things didn’t go as planned. As the leader, I had to steer the ship through it all. That project was full of hurdles and truly tested my abilities. But we pulled through, and that made it a memorable and significant challenge.”
- If you could go back and give advice to yourself when you first joined Rotaract, what would it be?
“I don’t think I made any major mistakes, to be honest. But if I had to say something, it would be this—don’t do concerts. That’s the only thing I’d tell myself. Everything else was part of the learning.”
- A message you’d like to leave for the future generations of Rotaractors?
“If you have passion, go for it. But don’t do Rotaract for the sake of it or because it looks good on a CV. If it’s just a fashion statement, this isn’t the place for you. Do it because you genuinely want to make a difference.” “Developing yourself through Rotaract is a journey. It prepares you for the real world, helps you grow, and readies you to face the corporate life. Keep growing and inspiring!”
Let us continue to celebrate stories like Yasiru’s—filled with lessons, leadership, and a whole lot of heart.
Stay tuned and keep watching to find out who will be the next star of the CENTER STAGE!
Hosted By:
Rtr. Vimarshee Gunawardana
(Co – Director of Professional Development2024-25)
Written By: –
Rtr. Nethuli Mehara
(Junior Blog Team Member 2024-25)
Compiled By:
Rtr. Kavindu Hashen
(General Member 2024-25)
Edited By: –
Rtr. Moksha Munasinghe
(Junior Blog Team Member 2024-25)
