Shamen Sameera: Toastmasters International Triple Champion makes Sri Lanka proud

In an inspiring triumph that resonates across the Toastmasters community and beyond, Shamen Sameera was recently crowned the Champion of the Table Topics Speech Contest of District 82 (Sri Lanka, Maldives, and the British Indian Ocean) for the year 2025. This prestigious title was awarded at the Ovation Annual District 82 International Conference, marking a historic moment in Sri Lanka’s Toastmasters journey.

This victory adds to an already extraordinary list of achievements. Shamen was previously honoured as the Champion of the Humorous Speech Contest in 2017, held in Chennai, India, and later as the Champion of the Evaluations Speech Contest in 2023 at the Toastmasters International Conference in BMICH in Sri Lanka. With this most recent win, Shamen becomes the only Sri Lankan Toastmaster to ever claim these three out of the four championship titles offered by District 82, earning him the remarkable distinction of Triple Champion, a title that speaks volumes of his dedication, talent, and consistency over the past 10 years. Beyond the stage, Shamen Sameera serves as the Head of Business Strategy at AIA Insurance, achieving this position at a young age of 32 where he brings over a decade of experience in strategic planning within the financial services sector. His analytical mindset and corporate insight played a pivotal role in delivering an impromptu Table Topics speech that captivated the audience and judges alike, combining emotional impact with strategic depth.

A committed Toastmaster, Shamen is an active member of Pinnacle Advanced Toastmasters Club, the first advanced club in District 82, where he helps shape corporate leaders into world-class speakers and evaluators. He is also a proud member of Serendib Toastmasters Club, where he served as President in 2018/19, leading the club to earn the Golden Gavel Award, the highest accolade a club can receive. 

His journey hasn’t been without challenges. A finalist in both Table Topics and Evaluations contests in 2019, Shamen has consistently demonstrated resilience and a drive to improve. His decade-long commitment to contesting showcases a spirit that embraces growth through failure and thrives on perseverance.

Shamen’s achievements are not confined to Toastmasters alone. Academically, he holds an MBA with Distinction from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, where he was awarded a Gold Medal for best performance, and a First Class BBA from the University of Colombo, specialising in Marketing. In 2013, he placed 1st in Sri Lanka and 6th globally in the CIMA TOP-CIMA final case study examination, cementing his reputation as a scholar and thought leader. Reflecting on his journey, Shamen says, “A person only grows when they support others to grow. When we share our experiences and work together to identify strengths and areas for improvement, the opportunities for development multiply. Toastmasters has allowed me to learn from extraordinary individuals from across the world, fuelling my growth both personally and professionally.”

He adds, “In today’s fast-evolving world, communication and emotional intelligence are the key differentiators. As automation transforms the workplace, our ability to connect, lead, and inspire will define our success. 

“Toastmasters has not only made me a better speaker, but a better leader and human being.”

As he steps into this new chapter, Shamen Sameera is committed to giving back. He continues to conduct public speaking workshops and training sessions at both national and international levels, hoping to inspire the next generation of speakers and leaders.

His story is a shining example of how dedication, vision, and the will to grow coupled with a desire to uplift others can lead to excellence. Sri Lanka can indeed be proud of one of its finest communicators and leaders.