District 82 Toastmasters begins new leadership year

From left: Piyakara Jayarathne, Bhathiya Hettiarachchi and Hingston Lovell

A new chapter has begun for District 82 of Toastmasters International as its newly elected District Executive Committee assumes leadership for the 2026–2027 Toastmasters year, ushering in a renewed commitment to empowering individuals through communication, leadership and personal development.

Leading the District is District Director Bhathiya Hettiarachchi, DTM, alongside Programme  Quality Director Piyakara Jayarathne, DTM, and Club Growth Director Hingston Lovell. Together, the trio will spearhead the District’s strategic direction over the coming year, focusing on strengthening member experience, enhancing programme quality and expanding the Toastmasters network across the region.

Setting out his vision for the year ahead, District Director Bhathiya Hettiarachchi said he believes every individual possesses a unique voice worth hearing and untapped potential waiting to be realised. However, self-doubt, fear and limiting beliefs often prevent people from discovering their true capabilities. 

He emphasised that when people find their voice, they also discover their self-worth, enabling them to pursue opportunities with confidence, realise their aspirations and make meaningful contributions to their families, workplaces and communities.

Drawing upon the more than century-long legacy of Toastmasters International in developing communication and leadership skills, the District’s leadership intends to foster an environment where every member feels valued, supported and inspired to grow. The leadership will also prioritise strengthening existing clubs, supporting educational excellence, mentoring emerging leaders and establishing new clubs to extend the benefits of Toastmasters to a wider audience in Sri Lanka.

District 82, which serves thousands of Toastmasters members in the region, conducts a wide range of educational programmes, leadership training sessions, speech contests and conferences throughout the year, providing members with opportunities to build confidence, develop public speaking skills and strengthen their leadership capabilities in a supportive learning environment.

As the new Toastmasters year gets underway, the District Executive Committee has called on members, club officers and leaders at every level to work collectively towards creating a stronger and more vibrant District, guided by a shared purpose of transforming lives through communication and leadership.

With a vision centred on empowering individuals to discover their voice and unlock their potential, the new leadership begins its tenure under a unifying message that reflects the aspirations of the year ahead: “Empowering Voices & Enriching lives”.