Tuesday Jun 09, 2026
Tuesday Jun 09, 2026
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Hello Kitty with school children
Hello Kitty with representatives from CEA, Sanrio Co., Ltd., Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and JICA
A globally recognised character, Hello Kitty, visited Sri Lanka on 19 May 2026, and participated in the awareness-raising event of responsible plastic use and the importance of environmental conservation at the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), together with around 150 students.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with CEA, is implementing the technical cooperation project called the “Project for Strengthening Plastic Management Capacity,” with an aim to enhance the country’s ability to address plastic waste challenges. This project also contributes to the “Clean Sri Lanka Initiative” promoted by the Government of Sri Lanka.
As part of this project activities, JICA has partnered with Sanrio Co., Ltd., a Japanese entertainment company, and the owner of Hello Kitty, to produce the “Plastic Smart Song” in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English. The song is designed to raise public awareness of responsible plastic use and the importance of environmental conservation, particularly among children and young audiences.
Hello Kitty will visit a series of awareness-raising events and outreach activities at several schools this week. Through these engagements, the project seeks to inspire positive behavioral change and encourage communities across the country to adopt more sustainable practices and minimise environmental impact.
The opening event brought together more than 150 schoolchildren and was hosted by CEA, with the presence of CEA Chairman Prof. Tilak Hewawasam, CEA Director General Kapila Rajapaksha, Sanrio Co., Ltd. Managing Executive Officer - Global Sustainability Department Yuko Tsuji, JICA Sri Lanka Chief Representative Kenji Kuronuma, and representatives of Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and a number of JICA experts and JICA volunteers.
During the event, students sang the “Plastic Smart” song with Hello Kitty. In addition, two JICA volunteers also interacted with students to raise environmental awareness in Sinhala.
The event concluded with the highlight of reaching out to the communities on the shared commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable future for all. Irrespective of whether it is a student, teacher, policy maker or simply a community member passionate about the environment, we all have a role to play in reducing plastic pollution.
