Project ආරක්ෂා - Phase 02

 Project ආරක්ෂා

 Bus Repair Project: Phase 02

Leo Club of the University of Colombo proudly celebrates the successful completion of Phase two of our six-phase community service project. This meaningful initiative aims to support the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) by collecting funds and providing volunteer assistance to repair broken-down buses, helping strengthen Sri Lanka’s public transport system and ensure the safety of passengers across the country.

Why We Chose This Project

This project was inspired by our deep concern for passenger safety. In recent months, Sri Lanka has witnessed several tragic bus accidents, including the Alla-Wellawaya bus accident, which highlighted the urgent need for better maintenance and safety in public transportation.

Recognizing this issue, our club decided to take action. We wanted to make a difference by ensuring that buses on the road are safe, reliable, and well-maintained, protecting the lives of thousands of passengers who depend on public transport every day.

To make this initiative official, we visited the SLTB Head Office, presented our proposal, and received full permission and support for the project. The SLTB allocated six depots for the six phases of our plan, we successfully done first phase in Kadawatha bus depot and with Gampaha Depot selected as the second location.

Fundraising and Sponsorship

To make this project a reality, we raised funds entirely on our own through various fundraising activities organized by our project committee members. In addition to our collective efforts, we were also fortunate to receive a generous sponsorship from Global Rubber Industries, whose support played a key role in enabling the successful completion of Phase two.

This combination of teamwork, creativity, and community support allowed us to gather the necessary financial resources to repair and restore the selected bus.

Reviving a Phase two at Kadawatha Depot

First of all, the project chairperson, secretary and co-chairperson went to the Gampaha depot and discussed a date to carry out this major work. Accordingly, November 27th was selected for the purpose. 

On that day, all the project committee members came in the morning, met the depot engineer, had a friendly conversation and started the relevant work for us as per his instructions. Here, we selected the WP NB 8700 bus and the WP NB 3330 long-distance bus that had been stopped for repair and the equipment and materials required to repair its brake system were purchased with the funds raised by the committee.

With the excellent cooperation and mutual understanding among the project committee members and the technical team, the required work was successfully completed within a one day. This timely completion ensured that the bus was made available for public use, providing safe and reliable transportation for both daily commuting and long-distance travel.

Repairs and Upgrades Completed

The repair process included several major improvements to ensure the bus is safe and reliable:

Replacement of brake pads to ensure proper braking and safety.

 Replacing worn-out tires to improve stability and road grip.

After these repairs, the bus is now fully operational and ready to serve students safely and comfortably.

A Step Toward a Bigger Mission

The success of two phases reflects the true Leo spirit of leadership, teamwork, and service. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated members for their effort, Global Rubber Industries for their sponsorship, and to the staff of the Gampaha Depot for their guidance and support.

With two phases completed, we are now preparing to move forward with the remaining four phases at other depots assigned by the SLTB. Through this project, we hope to continue improving public transport safety and creating a lasting positive impact in our community.

- By Leo Benaree Silva -