Toyota Lanka (Private) Limited, the sole authorized distributor of Toyota and HINO vehicles, services and spare parts in Sri Lanka today extended their assistance to Sri Lanka’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, by way of a vehicle donation worth 20 million rupees. The donation of two units of Toyota Coaster buses took place at the Presidential Secretariat Office under the patronage of His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,  Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, 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 Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of 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 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 His Excellency President Gotabaya 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, od which one unit will be utilized 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, while the other unit for the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) will be used for health promotion projects with regards to communicable and non-communicable disease prevention in Sri Lanka.

“Effective action, allocation of resources, undertaking emergencies by the authorities and regulations imposed reflects true situational leadership of our President, Gotabaya Rajapakse. His exemplary leadership is an example to other developed nations in the West and East. With the establishment of the President’s “COVID-19 Healthcare & Security Fund” clarion call of the both public and private sector were imminent. 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 whereas one unit from the company. 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 1st Nation in the World, to be pronounced COVID-19 Free” Atukorala further added.

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 0777 939 001 for further information and assistance on services, special expertise and professional advice as we are ways of mindful of our customers in any hour of need and time.

Photo caption: (Above) H E President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inspecting the donated buses

Picture on left (from left) Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara – Director – Medical Research Institute (MRI); Dr. Naveen De Zoysa – Deputy Secretary GMOA; Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya, President of the GMOA; Udaya Francis – General Manager – Sales; HE President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; Manohara Atukorala - Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer – Toyota Lanka; Dr. Uthpala Indrawansa – Chairman - State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC); Dr. P.B Jayasundara, Secretary to President and Nihal Palliyaguruge – Senior Manager – Services

Picture on right (from left) Nihal Palliyaguruge – Senior Manager – Services; Dr. Uthpala Indrawansa – Chairman - State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC); Udaya Francis – General Manager – Sales; Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi – Minister of Health; Manohara Atukorala - Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer – Toyota Lanka;  Dr. P.B Jayasundara , Secretary to President and Lalith Weeratunga - Principal Advisor to President

The two donated Toyota Coaster buses worth 20 million rupees