‘CEAT Cares’ presents road safety equipment to 30 more schools

Thirty schools in Sri Lanka have received equipment for traffic and pedestrian management from CEAT Kelani Holdings, as the country’s leading tyre manufacturer concluded the 15th year of its road safety programme for school children.

Each of these beneficiary schools received five signboards, 10 traffic cones and 10 traffic warden jackets for the use of students deployed in road safety duties outside their gates under this initiative, which is part of the ‘CEAT Cares’ series of community projects.

The signboards developed for the programme bear legends such as ‘No Parking,’ ‘No Entry,’ ‘Drive Slow,’

‘Children Crossing Ahead’ and ‘No U turn.’

With the completion of the presentation of equipment to the schools identified for 2024, the total number of schools benefitted by the programme to date rose to 320. The company said another 30 schools would receive road safety related equipment in 2025 under this programme.

“Safety is a subject that CEAT is passionate about, because it is a core consideration with every single tyre we manufacture,” CEAT Kelani Chief Operating Officer Mr Shamal Gunawardene commented. “And so, it is logical that CEAT is a forerunner in advocating for and investing in safe mobility, guided by our purpose – Making Mobility Safer & Smarter Every Day.”

The main objectives of the ‘CEAT Cares’ programme are to foster a culture of safety and responsibility among road users, to educate and empower key stakeholders, including students, parents, and transport providers, to adopt safer practices, and to support traffic management in schools and reduce the frequency of accidents through community engagement and resource distribution.

The schools benefitted by the latest round of presentations of road safety equipment were Welimada Central School and Welimada Vijaya Vidyalaya in Welimada; Darmadutha Vidyalaya, Badulla; Royal College, Monaragala; Raheemiya Vidyalaya, Akkaraipattu; Fatima College, Kalmunai; Al Muneera Balika Maha Vidyalaya and Alighar Central College in Eravur; Central College, Oddamavadi; St. Xavier's Central College, Marawila; St. Sebastian’s College, Madampe; Vidyadarsha National School, Nochchiyagama; Rajabima Maha Vidyalaya, Nikaweratiya; Maliyadeva Model School and Sri Nissanka Maha Vidyalaya in Kurunegala; Elwela Vidyalaya, Ukuwela; Hindu  National College, Pussellawa; Pilimathalawa National School, Pilimathalawa; St. Joseph's Girls’ College, Kegalle; Sariputhatha  Model Primary School, Alawwa; St. Paul's Balika Vidyalaya, Kelaniya; Vishaka Balika Vidyalaya, Makola; Jayakodi Maha Vidyalaya, Ganemulla;  Dewalapola Nalanda Balika  Maha  Vidyalaya, Minuwangoda; Pahathgama Roman Catholic Junior School, Hanwella; Moratu Maha Vidalaya, Moratuwa; Ananda Sastralaya National School, Mathugama; Gamini Central College, Bentota; Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda; and Vijayaba National School, Hungama.

The CEAT brand originated in Italy and is backed by German manufacturing technology and extensive research and testing facilities in India and Europe. CEAT Kelani Holdings currently manufactures half of Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre requirements, exports about 20 per cent of its production to 16 countries and plays a significant role in helping the national economy conserve foreign exchange by reducing dependence on imported tyres. The joint venture’s cumulative investment in Sri Lanka over the past decade exceeds Rs 8.5 billion.

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