SL Toastmasters movement gears up for ‘Ovation 2026’

Seated from left: Deputy Director Marketing Home Lands Group Mansoor Rishad, Past Region Advisor for Toastmasters International DTM Sudash Liyanage, District Director District 82 DTM Niroshan Nadarajah, DTM Bhathiya Hettiarachchi and DTM Piyakara Jayaratne of District 82 Toastmasters International with Conference Chair Ovation 2026 DTM Mario De Silva 

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana 

District 82 Toastmasters International is gearing up for Ovation 2026, its annual conference themed Tides of Transformation, scheduled for May 16 - 17 at Shangri-La Colombo, powered by Home Lands as the Title Partner. 

The event was announced by the District 82 during a media briefing held at the Courtyard by Marriott Colombo last week, to give a closer look at the organization, its four-decade journey in Sri Lanka and what to expect at this year’s conference. 

District Director District 82 DTM Niroshan Nadarajah addressing the media said what sets Sri Lanka apart is not just participation but passion. “Toastmasters here is not an extracurricular activity. It is a platform for personal transformation, leadership grooming and national representation on a global stage,” Nadarajah said. 

The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) further said that standing is well earned. District 82 was recognized as the number one District in the Toastmasters International circuit in 2024 /2025. 

“The country has produced Dananjaya Hettiarachchi, the first Sri Lankan to win the World Championship of Public Speaking in 2014 and DTM Arunasalam Balraj, who served as Toastmasters International President in 2017 /2018, two milestones that reflect the depth of the district’s global footprint,” the District Director said. 

Speaking to the organization’s enduring philosophy Past Region Advisor for Toastmasters International DTM Sudash Liyanage reflected on what has kept the movement relevant for over a century. 

“Toastmasters International, founded in 1924, is a global nonprofit that helps individuals develop communication, public speaking and leadership skills. Sri Lanka has been part of this movement since 1983, when the Colombo Toastmasters Club became the first Toastmasters club in South Asia. Today, District 82 is home to over 168 clubs and over 4, 000 members across 65 towns in the country; its reach extends across Sri Lanka through Corporate, Institutional and Community clubs,” DTM Liyanage said. 

Conference Chair DTM Mario De Silva outlined what attendees can look forward to during two days of high-energy programming, including speech contests, keynote sessions, educational workshops and recognition ceremonies celebrating the best of the district. 

“Ovation is the culmination of a Toastmasters year and it was a great pleasure to have the country’s most trusted and innovative developer Home Lands joining hands with us as the Title Partner for the event,” DTM De Silva added.