Toyota Lanka joins fight against COVID-19 with vehicle donation

 From left: Director MRI Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, Deputy Secretary GMOA Dr. Naveen De Zoysa, President of the GMOA Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya, General Manager Sales Toyota Lanka Udaya Francis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, MD/CEO Toyota Lanka Manohara Atukorala, Chairman SPMC Dr. Uthpala Indrawansa, Secretary to President Dr. P.B Jayasundara, and Senior Manager Services Toyota Lanka Nihal Palliyaguruge

From left:  Senior Manager Services Toyota Lanka Nihal Palliyaguruge, Chairman SPMC Dr. Uthpala Indrawansa, General Manager Sales Toyota Lanka Udaya Francis, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, MD/CEO Toyota Lanka Manohara Atukorala, Secretary to President Dr. P.B Jayasundara, and Principal Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga

The two donated Toyota Coaster buses worth Rs. 20 million 

Toyota Lanka Ltd., the sole authorised distributor of Toyota and HINO vehicles, services and spare parts in Sri Lanka, yesterday extended their assistance to Sri Lanka’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, by way of a vehicle donation worth Rs. 20 million. 

The donation of two units of Toyota Coaster buses took place at the Presidential Secretariat Office under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniara-chchi, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B Jayasundara, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) Dr. Uthpala Indrawansa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Lanka Manohara Atukorala, General Manager Sales Udaya Francis, and Senior Head Service Operations Nihal Palliyaguruge.

 Speaking on the donation MD/CEO Toyota Lanka Manohara Atukorala, said: “Toyota Lanka as a multi-national entity and a fully owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation (a member of Toyota Group Japan), wishes to extend our profuse appreciation for the timely measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to safeguard public life, health and safety against the COVID-19 pandemic. To this effect, we are extremely grateful for the situational leadership demonstrated by President Rajapaksa, alongside government authorities, including the Ministry of Health. This donation therefore is Toyota’s way of not only assisting the fight against the pandemic but also appreciating the efforts put in by the frontline health sector staff, Tri Forces and Police.” 

The Toyota Coaster buses were accepted by the Health Ministry, of which one unit will be utilised for special projects undertaken by the Medical Research Institute (MRI), for the purpose of transportation of research, test kits, staff and other essential medical equipment including for epidemic control. The other unit handed over to the Government Medical Officers› Association (GMOA) will be used for health promotion projects with regard to communicable and non-communicable disease prevention in Sri Lanka.

 “Effective action, allocation of resources, undertaking emergencies by the authorities and regulations imposed, reflect the true situational leadership of our President,” Autukorala added. “His exemplary leadership is an example to other developed nations in the West and the East. The establishment of the President’s “COVID-19 Healthcare & Security Fund” served as as clarion call to both the public and private sectors. 

“To this cause Toyota Lanka’s donation comes as a collaborative effort of all our staff who contributed generously through the Toyota Lanka Welfare Society. I also take this opportunity to thank and praise the effort of all our frontline heroes in the armed forces, health sector and others who are working tirelessly to make Sri Lanka, the first nation in the world to be pronounced COVID-19 free.”

 Toyota Lanka has also announced that it will continue to monitor the situation in the country and render any further assistance, while also adhering to local regulations like the work-from-home precautionary measures etc. Toyota Lanka can be reached on 0777939001 for further information and assistance on services, special expertise and professional advice.