Dedicated people who share a passion for both community service and friendship

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History of the Rotary Club of Colombo

Paul-Harris

"Whatever rotary may mean to us,
to the world it will be known by the results it achieves".

- PAUL P. HARRIS

Our 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man—Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.

On the balmy evening of the 5th of July 1929, 64 eminent members of Colombo society, both British and Ceylonese, met at the Galle Face Hotel. It was not for an evening of entertainment or socializing but with a greater purpose in mind. In the presence of the Governor of Ceylon, Herbert Stanley, and the Commander of the 7th Fleet, Adm. Thesigar, the elite of Colombo gave their solemn pledge to band together to serve society through the setting up of a Rotary Club of Colombo.
“We the officers of Rotary Club of Colombo, Ceylon, do hereby certify that this list constitutes the charter membership list and agreements of the Rotary Club of Colombo, Ceylon.”
Signing this historic document inaugurating the club that evening in July, were president of the club, Colonel T.Y Wright, the undisputed head of the European Community in Ceylon, the Hony. Secretary, A.B.Woolsam and 3 other members.

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