As the Rotaract clock resets, the success of this current year is built on the legacy of the year before it. To make sure, the legacy of the past year flows smoothly into the present, we need the man himself who will illuminate our path and be our lighthouse.

Let’s hear it for our guiding star, the Immediate Past President (IPP) for the RI Year 25.26,

Rtr. Jayod Perera

This role isn’t something he takes lightly. He makes sure that he’s there everytime we need him showing that he hasn’t left the action, he’s just taken another seat at the table, a seat that is meant for the wisdom whisperer. He brings in all the goodies from the previous year: his naturally high energy that led the club to win many awards including his infectious and universally loved “nice guy” vibes and his gold fish memory.

To start off with his gold fish memory is a crime but I need to mention this god given memory where he has to be reminded of a deadline over and over again. One might wonder how he managed it last year but that’s the beauty of who he is. He was a leader who knew exactly what he needs help with and wasn’t afraid to ask for it.

His ability to lead isn’t just about remembering small details rather it’s about the inspiring vision he had that lead him to create a culture where his team rose up whenever it was needed. It’s a collective effort and he proved it.

In a world where chaos is the norm, it’s rare to see Jayod panic. So even if things shift faster than a Kahoot leaderboard, you will never see him lose composure. I use “never” lightly because when it comes to games or anything competitive, Jayod goes full in. It’s the only time you’ll see his composure completely vanish.

If you have played Kahoot with him, you might have seen him not only fight with his keyboard and mouse but also verbally as he attacks his competitors with hilarious and clever jabs. Now, if he’s this fiercely competitive in a mildly stressful game like Kahoot, you can only imagine the intensity when he’s battling in Clash of Clans, his recent (and very important) addiction.

There’s no difference between his “fun self” and his “work self”, he always operates in an auto mode with the same natural level of high. During some high moments, he turns into Aristotle and begins diving into philosophical monologues about the universe, stars, rainbows…about all the things you absolutely do not want to talk about. (the former club service director claims it’s an unforgettable immersion where you temporarily get lectured about the cosmos and the nature of reality)

What is admirable about his personality is how comforting and reassuring he is as a leader. Even if he scolds someone, instead of a fiery outburst, he deals with it in a very cool and calm way that forces you to question whether you are actually being scolded.

He uplifts and encourages others to give their best along with him. In moments where the pressure is high, he matches that high by taking the responsibility and thinking critically to come up with solutions. In fact, the amount of raw creativity he pours into problem-solving is unreal! (His random sci-fi stories serve as evidence)

He is the anchor when the waves get rough, because he doesn’t just manage the situation, he will also calm everyone down by cracking the perfect joke to remind everyone that you can’t fix things while you’re freaking out and that we’re here to serve and have fun. That’s why he’s someone who many look up to. 

His journey into Rotaract is one for the history books. He was actually peer pressured by his friend to join RotaVerse. Infact, it was his friend who secretly signed him up and dragged him there. From that to becoming the President of that very club is a transformation most of us pray for. He has come so far that now, he can make a friend out of anyone he sees with just a 10 minute conversation.

He’s a fighter when it comes to things he loves. Whether it’s his love for dogs, his love for music or his love for service, he gives his 100%. That dedication is why I have no doubt that he will achieve his ultimate goal of becoming one of the biggest corporate leaders in Sri Lanka.

However, if you ask him about his grander ambition, he will tell you about his dream that targets nothing less than the highest star. He dreams of proving everyone who dismiss the nation’s problems as unresolvable wrong and to make Sri Lanka a far better country than he found it.

Which I wouldn’t say is so far-fetched, given that he’s always managed to make the best lemonade from all the lemons he’s been thrown.

He has set the standard for our club by always living by what he has said.

As he takes his seat as the IPP in our club and the bigger seat as the International Service Director in the District (which we are extremely proud of!), we are confident that he will take both our club and the district to higher places to achieve many more milestones..

Penned By:

Rtr. Rana Rilwan

Editor 25.26