Anton Nelson was ceremonially installed as the 23rd President of the Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown in a glittering ceremony at the Hotel Continental recently.

The Chief Guest on the occasion was Chandra Schaffter the Head of Janashakthi Group of Companies. Also present was Guest of Honour District Governor Thariq Thulba and Ann Shianaz, and a host of Past District Governors and other dignitaries.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the flagship project of the club for the year – Combatting Thalassaemia.

Thalassaemia is a genetically inherited, non curable blood disorder that causes mild to severe anaemia - the reduction of red blood cells in the body. Treatment for thalassaemia is costly and needs life long therapy.

Project Chairman Murali Prakash made a very moving presentation on Thalassaemia and the reasons why the Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown decided to undertake the project.

A song on Thalassaemia especially composed for the occasion and performed by a special troupe added a fitting finale to the presentation.

Chief Guest Schaffter commended the Club for its bold initiative and pledged his own support to the project. “I have always been an admirer of Rotary and the laudable efforts of Rotarians in many areas of our society” he said.

District Governor and Guest of Honour Thariq Thulba congratulated the club on its continued good work in the previous year and said that Colombo Uptown was considered by many as one of the more dynamic clubs in the district with a wealth of knowledge and experience amongst its membership. He pledged the District’s total support for the Thalassaemia project which he said was a very commendable initiative.

New President Anton Nelson said he was honoured to be invited to head the Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown and thanked the members for their faith in him. He said during his year he hoped to build on the good work already achieved by the club and would endeavour to take the club to the next level of achievement in these areas.

The ceremonial meeting was followed by dinner and light entertainment and a raffle draw – the first fund raiser for the Thalassaemia project.