Description

Project Overview On 24th April 2025 , the IEEE community at the University of Peradeniya organized a community “Dansal” near Katugastota to support pilgrims attending Siri Dalada Dakma 2025 at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic . This initiative involved offering free refreshments and light meals to devotees as a gesture of solidarity, embodying the humanitarian values of IEEE. The project’s objectives were to: Express solidarity with pilgrims attending the sacred event. Reinforce the spirit of service and volunteerism among IEEE members. Strengthen community engagement beyond technical domains . Planning & Execution A fundraising campaign was launched, gathering contributions from IEEE members, alumni, and well-wishers. Donation receipts were issued transparently, and all transactions were properly reviewed and recorded. The Dansal was registered with the Kandy Municipal Council to ensure legal compliance. Procurement focused on quick, safe, and hygienic items : 600 Highland milk packets 200 Kist wafer packets Volunteers maintained strict health and safety regulations during preparation, storage, and distribution. A garbage collection initiative was implemented post-event to maintain cleanliness. Collaboration & Participation Over 25 IEEE volunteers actively participated in planning, logistics, food distribution, and post-event cleanup. 50+ donations were received, reflecting strong community and alumni support. All IEEE Organizational Units (Student Branch, WIE, and technical chapters) contributed financially, logistically, and through volunteer efforts. Close coordination with the Kandy Municipal Council and local vendors ensured smooth operations. Impact & Sustainability The project strengthened social bonds between IEEE members and the community. It showcased interdisciplinary collaboration , turning a collective vision into a meaningful service. The documented planning framework (fundraising, registration, compliance, vendor management) makes this initiative repeatable and scalable for future “Dansal” projects or other community services. This project perfectly embodied IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for humanity . It demonstrated how engineers and technologists can extend their impact beyond technical fields into cultural, humanitarian, and community-driven initiatives . By fostering empathy, social responsibility, and leadership, this event highlighted the true spirit of IEEE volunteerism .