Rotary Club of Colombo installs eminent legal professional Nithi Murugesu as 92nd President

Renowned commercial lawyer Nithi Murugesu was recently installed as the 92nd President of the Rotary Club of Colombo, the first and largest Rotary Club in Sri Lanka, which was formed in 1929. 

The Rotary Club of Colombo was chartered in 1929 with Colonel T.Y. Wright as its first President. He set the benchmark for the many hardworking and dedicated Presidents who succeeded him. 

Nithi Murugesu

Murugesu is the 92nd President in its long history of charity work that has supported communities and individuals in areas such as disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, maternal and child development, and peace and conflict resolution. 

Murugesu has been a member of the Rotary Club of Colombo since 2011 and has actively participated in its Club activities. 

The Club has been involved in providing 29 Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants to provide clean drinking water for the prevention of chronic kidney disease due to the high mineral content in groundwater supply, Project ‘Well Done’ which comprises 36 Agri plants to provide rural farmers in Killinochchi for easy access to water, the Cancer Early Detection Centre in Narahenpita, Mahamodara, Galle Materinty Hospital, Mobile Bus Library Project in Nuweraeliya, and the “Via Village” Entrepreneur Development Centre in Vavunia. 

 Last year, the Club expanded its support to provide playground equipment to rural and underprivileged primary schools. The equipment is received from the Rotary Club of Flemington, Australia and established with the support of local Rotary Clubs in urban and peripheries of Sri Lanka. 

Over a 20-year period, the Rotary Club of Colombo has completed projects valued at over one billion rupees and continues to support numerous charity projects on Rotary International’s proposed thematic areas. Murugesu will provide leadership to the Club’s long term goal of eliminating cervical cancer in the country partnering Ministry of Health. If successful, this will make Sri Lanka the first country in the world to do so. “I would like to dedicate this Rotary year as the “Year of Self Giving” as the Rotary opens the doors of opportunities, said Murugesu, in his inaugural address after his installation as the club President.

 Murugesu is an Attorney-at-Law, Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths, with over 35 years of experience in the legal profession. His reputed law firm – Nithi Murugesu & Associates – specialises in commercial and civil law. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of BMICH, and served as Secretary, Director Administration and Director Foundation of the Rotary Club of Colombo and the District Legal Advisor to the Rotary International District 3220 Sri Lanka & Maldives for many years. He is a product of Trinity College, Kandy and St. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia. “I can’t think of a more suitable person to drive the vision of Rotary and to give leadership to the projects initiated by the Rotary Club of Colombo. Nithi Murugesu’s Presidency will undoubtedly be a forerunner to greater achievements in Rotary in the coming months,” said Saravanan Soundararajan, the outgoing President.

At the same function the new Board of the Rotary Club of Colombo was also installed, namely as President Elect Aroshi Nanayakkara, Vice President – Past President Mahanama Dodampegama, Immediate Past President Saravanan Soundararajan, Secretary Nadiya Perera, Treasurer – Past President Rajiv Walpita, Executive Director – Past District Governor Tissa Bandaranayake, Director Club Administration – District Governor Nominee Pubudu De Zoysa, Director Services – Past President Kumudu Warnakulasooriya, Director Foundation Naqeeb Hussain, Director Public Image Asmath Iqbal, Director Membership Sohan Perera, Sergeant at Arms Rajieve Fernando and Assistant Secretary Anitra Perera.

 Rotary International established in 1905 by Chicago lawyer Paul P Harris. For more than 115 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. 

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers that see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in communities, and themselves. From literacy and peace, to water, sanitation and health, Rotarians are always working to better our world, and Rotarians stay committed to the end.