Schoolchildren pen essays to prevent drug abuse

The winners of the All-island essay competition (English) pose with the organisers of the competition 

Seated: Lions Subudu Amarasinghe, Thulitha Piyasena, K.D.Indrajith, Dr.Sarath M.Samarage, District Governor Ajith Liyange, Project Chairperson S.Ramachandran, PCC Duminda Munasinghe, 2nd VDG Thushara Peiris & Rotarian Kishani Jayasinghe

 A winner receives a cash award from District Governor Lion Ajith Liyanage MJF

The Lions Club of Dehiwela North out of the Lions Clubs International-District 306 A 2 successfully completed one of their ongoing programmes under the theme ‘Prevention of Drug Abuse & HIV/AIDS. 

Having realised the need to create the much needed awareness among the youth on this subject, they launched this programme in the year 1993/94 which has been continued up to date. Lion S.Ramachandran has been the District Chairperson of this programme since the very inception. The Rotary Club of Colombo Mid-City from District 3220 has been involved with this ongoing programme since the 
year 2016/17. 

This essay contest for school students in the age group of 15 to 19 offered cash prizes, certificates and medals to first five place winners in each language category. The 27th  Annual Awards Ceremony was conducted at the Lions Activity Centre, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7 on March 21. The Chief Guest at the occasion was District Governor Lion Ajith Liyanage MJF and the Guest of Honour was Dr.Sarath M.Samarage. Other dignitaries presented the awards to the winners at this event. 

FONGOADA President Dr. Sarath M.Samarage, Director FISD Mr.Ravi Kandiah, Rev. Fr. Jude Bernard Rodrigo & PCC Lion Duminda Munasinghe in their presentations stressed on the need of having active participation of youth in the war against Drug Abuse. Lion S.Ramachandran and Rotarian K.Arabhinthan were the co-chairpersons of this project; a project held under the joint initiative of Lions International-District 306 A 2 & Rotary 
International-District 3220.