The enduring partnership between the Rotary Club of Karachi (RCK) and the Rotary Club of Colombo reached a new milestone during a high-profile two-day visit to Sri Lanka by Past Rotary International Trustee (PRIT) Aziz Memon and Past President (PP) Abbas Lavingia. This visit celebrated thirty years of “Twin Club” history, a relationship built on family exchanges, golf tournaments, and unwavering support during natural disasters. The visit began with a warm reception at the airport by Rotary International President-Elect (RIPE) K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran, signaling the high level of importance placed on this international fellowship.
During the first day, PRIT Aziz Memon joined RIPE Ravi for a special preview of the venue for the upcoming Rotary Institute, which is set to be hosted in Colombo for the first time. The evening featured a dinner hosted by RIPE Ravi and Past First Lady (PFL) Vanathy at their residence, providing an intimate setting for the delegation to discuss ongoing humanitarian efforts. The spirit of reconnection continued the following day as PRIT Memon met with his 2007–08 District Governor batchmate, PDG Thariq Thulba (RC Colombo Mid Town), and PDG Deshamanya Dr. Avanti Nissanka Karunaratna (RC Kandy).
The second day was marked by several strategic meetings and personal visits. Before lunch, the delegation reconnected with Ali Asghar (Asgi) Akbarally (RC Colombo) and his Rotaractor son. This was followed by a lunch meeting with RI President’s Special Advisor (RIPSA) PDG Pubudu De Zoysa and her husband Krish, where they discussed the future of regional Rotary projects. These meetings highlighted the deep personal networks that sustain the Rotary mission across borders.
The visit culminated in the World Understanding Day celebrations at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Addressing a large gathering, PRIT Aziz Memon spoke on the “Art of Giving,” reflecting on how the Rotary Club of Colombo had previously supported Pakistan with a $19,500 contribution during the 2021 floods. To return this gesture, RCK members collected $26,346 (approximately Rs. 7.9 million) to aid Sri Lanka following recent calamities. While the funds were initially intended for school repair projects for those
affected by recent cyclones, a new strategic plan was discussed to combine this contribution with funds from the Rotary Club of Colombo to apply for a Global Grant, significantly amplifying the impact of the donation.
The event saw an impressive attendance of RC Colombo leadership and distinguished guests, including RIPE Ravi & Vanathy, President Aruna Fernando, PE Nima Ratnayake, PP Rajiv Walpita, PP Azad Mansoor, Mohammed Abidally (Akbarally), PDG Senake Amerasinghe, Shahid Sangani, and Kumudu Warnakulassoriya. The international nature of the gathering was further emphasized by the presence of visiting Rotarians, including a Past President from Richmond Hill, Toronto. This visit not only provided critical financial support for education but also reinforced the three-decade-old bridge of friendship between Karachi and Colombo.
