History
From a single club in 1983 to a district spanning Sri Lanka, the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory — follow the milestones that shaped District 82.
Welcome to the Pioneering World of Toastmasters in Sri Lanka
Toastmasters International has been a cornerstone in shaping leaders and skilled public speakers around the world. In Sri Lanka, the journey began in 1983 and has blossomed into a vibrant community committed to excellence. Here's a look at the glorious history of Toastmasters in this island nation.
The District 82 Saga - A Tale of Triumph
In a significant milestone for South Asia, District 82 of Toastmasters International was established in 2008, encompassing over 60 clubs in Sri Lanka and India, allowing more and more people to benefit from Toastmasters' world-class programs. From there, Toastmasters spread quickly across the rest of the region, with the District being split multiple times across its 15+ years of history. Today, District 82 encompasses all clubs across Sri Lanka, Maldives, and the British Indian Ocean Territory, with over 3500 members across more than 150 clubs.
Past District Governors and Directors
The leaders who steered District 82 from its earliest days as a provisional district to the thriving region it is today.
John Bosco Abraham, DTM
District Governor - 2006/07 *
Region Advisor - 2010/11
Venkat Muthuswamy, DTM
District Governor - 2007/08 *
Balraj Arunasalam, DTM
District Governor - 2008/09
International President - 2017/18
Deepak Menon, DTM
District Governor - 2009/10
International President - 2019/20
Nagaraja Rao, DTM
District Governor - 2010/11
International Director - 2015 - 2017
Zameen M. Saleem, DTM
District Governor - 2011/12
Nina John, DTM
District Governor - 2012/13
Kumaran M. Pethi, DTM
District Governor - 2013/14
Region Advisor - 2017/18
Yusuf Jeevunjee, DTM
District Governor - 2014/15
Sastharam Ravendran, DTM
District Director - 2015/16
Sudash Liyanage, DTM
District Director - 2016/17
Region Advisor - 2020/21 & 2021/22
Ajantha Jayawardana, DTM
District Director - 2017/18
Suganthi Periasamy, DTM
District Director - 2018/19
Region Advisor - 2021/22 & 2022/23
Sarmaa Mahalingam, DTM
District Director - 2019/20
Noorul Munawwara, DTM
District Director - 2020/21
Srianthie Salgado, DTM
District Director - 2021/22
Nisal Weerakoon, DTM
District Director - 2022/23
Mahinda Karunakara, DTM
District Director - 2023/24
Ganga Fernando, DTM
District Director - 2023/24
Niroshan Nadarajah, DTM
District Director 2025-2026
Provisional District in 2006/07 and 2007/08*
Moments that shaped the District
Snapshots of Toastmasters International in action across the region.
Our History in Milestones
Each step brought more clubs, more members and more confident voices to the region.
- 1983
The first Toastmasters club in South Asia, The Colombo Toastmasters Club was chartered on the 1st of November 1983, under the leadership of the late Sam Samaranayake as it's Charter President.
- 1992
The first Toastmasters club in India, the Garden City Toastmasters Club was chartered on 9th September 1992.
- 2003
The application to form the Territorial Council of South Asia for Toastmasters International was submitted to Toastmasters International. This consisted of 4 clubs in Sri Lanka and 7 clubs in India.
- 2004
Toastmasters International granted full Territorial Council status with the presence of 20+ clubs in Sri Lanka and India.
- 2006
Provisional District status was granted and assigned District number 82.
- 2006
Dananjaya Hettiarachchi won the Toastmasters' International Taped Speech Contest, competing against 10,000 other participants across the globe and earning the coveted prize.
- 2006
The first OVATION conference of District 82 was held in Colombo, with Toastmasters International President, Colombo-born Dr. Dilip R Abayasekara as the Chief Guest.
- 2008
Full District status was granted as District 82, consisting of all clubs in Sri Lanka and India.
- 2008
District 82 was adjudged the number 1 District in the World, and this recognition was consecutively retained for the next 3 years.
- 2009
After winning the District International Speech Contest, the first member of D82 to compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking was TM Aaron Watson.
- 2011
The first South Asian was elected to serve on the board of Toastmasters International, DTM Balraj Arunasalam.
- 2011
District 82 split for the first time, with District 82 comprising clubs in Sri Lanka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka & District 41 encompassing the rest of India.
- 2013
District 82 was reformed once again, with District 92 comprising all clubs in Karnataka and Kerala, and District 82 accommodated the clubs in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
- 2014
Distinguished Toastmaster Balraj Arunasalam became Toastmasters' VP in Kuala Lumpur, where Dananjaya Hettiarachchi secured the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.
- 2015
District 82 once again produced a finalist at the World Championship of Public Speaking, when TM Arfath Saleem was declared the winner of his the semifinal he contested in.
- 2016
For the third consecutive year, District 82 produced yet another finalist at the World Championship of Public Speaking, this time it was TM Kaishika Rodrigo.
- 2017
DTM Balraj Arunasalam was appointed as the International President of Toastmasters International at the convention held in Vancouver, Canada.
- 2018
District 82 was recognized as the number 1 District in the world once again, after a lapse of 6 years.
- 2020
With further expansion and rapid growth, District 82 was reformed once again, with clubs in Sri Lanka remaining in District 82 and all clubs in Tamil Nadu being designated as District 120.
- 2022
With the formation of the Male Maldives Club, District 82 was rebranded as Sri Lanka and Maldives.
- 2023
District 82 had its borders redefined once again, this time with the inclusion of the British Indian Ocean Territory along with Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Snapshot of Today: The Ongoing Success of Sri Lankan Toastmasters
District 82 | Sri Lanka
With the presence in numerous cities and a membership of thousands, Toastmasters in Sri Lanka continues to excel and inspire. Whether it's in Colombo, Kandy, or Jaffna, the impact is felt far and wide.
The story continues with you
Every club and every member adds a new chapter. Come write yours with District 82.