COLOMBO – Jennifer Jones, the first women world president of Rotary International arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (11) as part of her ‘Imagine Tour’ that will see her hand over the first consignment of essential medicines to the Ministry of Health and also launch many flagship projects in the country.

The medicines are from the US$ 10 million Life Line project funded by Rotary International for the people of Sri Lanka in partnership with UNICEF.

Rotary International is the foremost service organization in the world and has a seat in the UN General Assembly’. Jones, the first woman elected to head the organization in its 117-year history, is visiting Sri Lanka as part of the ‘Imagine Tour of Jennifer Jones’.

Jones, the Founder President of Media Street Productions Inc., a twenty five year old award winning media company based in Ontario, Canada, has worked tirelessly to strengthen Rotary’s global impact and has held key roles in the hierarchy of Rotary.  These include Rotary Foundation Chair, Rotary International Vice President and Co- Chair of the ‘End Polio Now: Make History Today’ campaign, raising funds alongside Bill and Melinda Gates and their foundation.

Jennifer has earned respect in the world of Rotary for ‘Experiential Fund Raising’, through events such as ‘Rotary Polio Golf Day’ with Jack Nicklaus in Florida, USA which netted in US$ 5.25 million in a single day for polio eradication.  Working alongside political figures, celebrities and global leaders, she has used her voice to raise awareness and hundreds of millions of dollars to eradicate diseases, support peace, and to provide clean water and sanitation in the developing world. Her expert story telling skills inspires hope and promise and motivates people to take action.

Some of the many awards and recognition bestowed on Jones include Rotary’s Service Above Self Award, Citation for Meritorious Service, the YMCA Peace Medallion, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

While in Sri Lanka Jennifer Jones will officially launch many flagship projects in the country whilst also motivating Rotarians, young Rotaractors and energetic Interactors of Sri Lanka to continue with the good work She will visit the Stock Exchange of Sri Lanka to highlight the importance of environmental sustainability and responsibility, gender diversity and inclusive decision making in the corporate world.

Given the importance of youth, she was also participate in the awarding of 500 IT Scholarships from a campus in Philippines provided by Rotary International together with the Sri Lankan embassy in Philippines,  with the partnering organization being the National Youth Council, Ministry of Youth Affairs. She will also inaugurate the Cancer Detection Centre in partnership with Ministry of Health.

Gowri Rajan the Chairperson of Jennifer Jones Visit to Sri Lanka said Jones’ visit will be capped with a ‘Charity Black Tie Dinner’ with President Ranil Wickremesinghe in attendance and co-hosted with Sri Lanka Tourism.

While Rotary International is the leading service organization globally, in Sri Lanka it is the most dynamic humanitarian organization that has as its purpose, ‘Giving New Hope to Sri Lankans’,  as the country faces tough configurations due to macro-economic fallouts. This humanitarian spirit was articulated by Pubudu De Soyza, District Governor for Rotary in Sri Lanka, who said, “We in Rotary will make a difference to your life”.

-ENCL