Do you want to spread awareness on a pressing topic that’s prevailing in the society? Do you
want to ace your presentation and get that job you always wanted? Or do you want to feel
confident, inspiring and attract an audience with the power of words? Well, the best way to do
that is by being a public speaker because that gives you confidence and the advantage of
persuading anyone for the better.
The Gavel club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is an organizational body with a
successful history of 10 consecutive years. Our club has been initiated and maintained solely by
talented undergraduates of University of Sri Jayewardenepura under the guidance of the Career
Guidance Unit (CGU) of our university. Further, we represent the University of Sri
Jayewardenepura in the Island wide network of Gavel clubs which are affiliated to Toastmasters
International organization. We are the only club in the University that focuses on the
enhancement of leadership and communication skills in English language. As it’s a universal fact
that leadership and communication skills help you in every aspect of life, the Gavel Club of the
University of Sri Jayewardenepura always tries to create such a platform and to give endless
opportunities for the undergraduates of the university by organizing a number of events that
helps immensely in developing one’s speaking skills as well as one’s personal development.
Here is a glimpse of The Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2021.
Joint Gavel Meeting with the Gavel Club of University of Peradeniya
The meeting was held with the collaboration of Gavel club of University of Peradeniya on 27th
February 2021. The meeting was themed under the topic “Marvel” and the gaveliers from both
clubs were able to create bonds with this amazing collaboration.
Awurudu With Gavel
With this year’s New Year celebrations, the Gavel club organized an “Awurudu with Gavel”
Speech competition mainly for the little gaveliers. The speech competition was held on the
17th of April via zoom along with the Awurudu themed Gavel meeting. “Awurudu with Gavel”
became the first experience for the little Gaveliers to deliver their speeches and express
themselves in the speech competition.
COVID Awareness Project
With the emergence of the 3rd wave of the COVID 19 in Sri Lanka the Gavel Club of
University of Sri Jayewardenepura organized a COVID awareness Week campaign where they
spread awareness of the seriousness of the situation, how to avoid the risk and to protect each
other, how to keep sane during tough times and COVID prevention tips.
Joint Gavel Meeting with the Gavel Club of University of Colombo
The meeting was held with the collaboration of Gavel club of University of Colombo with the
participation of 100 gaveliers on 15th May 2021. The meeting was themed under the topic “A
Night at the Oscars” and the gaveliers from both clubs were able to gain a great collaborative
experience.
Joint Gavel Meeting with the Gavel Club of University of Moratuwa
The meeting was held with the collaboration of Gavel club of University of Moratuwa with
the participation of 98 gaveliers on 19th June 2021. The meeting was themed under the topic
“Fairytale” and the gaveliers were able to be a part of an exceptional meeting while creating
strong bonds with fellow gaveliers.
Speak Station
Many of the undergraduates have a fear of public speaking, which is based on language barriers,
lack of knowledge, and lack of motivation. Hence, young innovative ideas stay hidden from the
rest of the world. There is no better platform to share creative ideas than speech competitions.
But in stereotypic speech competitions, the freedom which the speakers get to express their
ideas is limited. Thus, the Speak Station platform was created with the purpose of promoting
public speaking and uncovering unique visions of undergraduates to a wide and open-minded
audience. The initial phase of the project Speak Station under the topic “Your Voice Matters”
was held with the participation of the guest speaker Ms. Sharon Mascarenhas on 4th July 2021
via Zoom with the participation of 300 participants. The first phase of the initiative was a grand
success as it helped the participants in breaking the fear they have towards public speaking.
The next session of SPEAK STATION “In The Spotlight” was followed by professionals in
public speaking and one with immense experience on the world stage, Mr. Sandun Fernando was
held on 11th July 2021 via Zoom. The tips and advice from him helped the participants to
overcome the stage fear.
The third and final phase of the project Speak Station under the topic “Voices of Tomorrow”
was held with the participation of the guest speakers Mr. Shahen Silva, Mr. Minindu Ekanayake
and Mr. Hirusha Algewatta on 25th July 2021 via Zoom with the participation of 300 participants.
Undergraduates of all the universities across the island got the opportunity to witness inspiring
undergraduates of University of Sri Jayewardenepura and share their insightful thoughts on the
platform created by Speak Station. This was a grand success as it helped the participants to
refresh the perspective about life and motivated them to be the best version of themselves.
Joint Gavel Meeting with the MCBP Gavel Club, Ontario, Canada
The 400th Gavel Educational meeting was held with the collaboration of MCBP Gavel Club,
Ontario, Canada with the participation of 100+ gaveliers. The gaveliers got the chance to
create bonds across borders and to share each other’s experiences and heritage.
Eminentium 21
Eminentium 21, signing off of the outgoing board of 2019/2020 and installation of the
incoming board of 2020/2021 installed by Dr Nayana Wijayasundara along with the induction
of the batch of 2021/2022 inducted by Toastmaster Eranga Dihan was held on the 29th of
September at 5pm via zoom. The event was embraced by the presence of our honourable
guests Distinguished Toastmaster Punsirimewan Kamburawela, Distinguished Toastmaster
Chandrasiri Wanasinghe, Professor Sudath Manjula Amarasena, Director of the Career
Guidance Unit and the Head of the Department of Decision Sciences in the Faculty of
Management Studies and Commerce and Mr Sameera Jayawardena, the Club Advisor and the
Senior Treasurer of the Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura along with
participation of present and past gaveliers. This event marked the growth of the Gavel Club of
University of Sri Jayewardenepura within the span of 10 remarkable years and a new chapter in
the Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Joint Gavel Meeting with the Gavel Club of University of Kelaniya
The meeting was held with the collaboration of Gavel club of University of Kelaniya with the
participation of 49 gaveliers on 16th November 2021. The meeting was themed under the
topic “Back to the 90’s”.
Infinitum
Celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura was
held on 14th November 2021, via Zoom. The event was embraced by the presence of our
honourable guests Distinguished Toastmaster Punsirimewan Kamburawela, Distinguished
Toastmaster Chandrasiri Wanasinghe, Professor Sudath Manjula Amarasena, Director of the
Career Guidance Unit and the Head of the Department of Decision Sciences in the Faculty of
Management Studies and Commerce, Mr. Sameera Jayawardena, the Club Advisor and the
Senior Treasurer of the Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura and our very first
President of the gavel club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gavelier Ajanee Ranasinghe
along with participation of present and past gaveliers. This event marked a huge step and great
excellence for the Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Launching of the Website
The launch of our very own website was also held on 14th of November via Zoom with the
celebration of a decade since the birth of the Gavel Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
This launch gives access to anyone to check what the Gavel Club of University of Sri
Jayewardenepura is and also for undergraduates of our very own university to enroll themselves
as a gavelier.
