Project ආරක්ෂා

 Project ආරක්ෂා

Bus Repair Project: Phase 03Leo Club of University of Colombo proudly celebrates the successful completion of Phase Three 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 ensuring the safety of passengers across the country.

Why We Chose This Project

Our deep concern for passenger safety inspired this project, as frequent bus accidents continue to claim lives across Sri Lanka. Almost every day, news reports highlight fatalities caused by both public and private bus transportation. Recognizing that public buses serve thousands of commuters daily, we selected public transportation as the focus of this initiative to help improve safety and prevent further loss of life.

Moving beyond concern into action, our club initiated the Araksha with a focus on practical intervention. Instead of limiting our efforts to awareness, we aimed to directly contribute by supporting inspections, maintenance and essential repairs that enhance the overall safety and reliability of buses in operation.

To make this initiative official, we collaborated with the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and received their approval and support. As part of the planned six-phase project, the Ambalangoda SLTB Depot was selected to carry out the third phase, continuing our commitment to safeguarding lives through responsible and meaningful service.

Fundraising and Sponsorship

To make the third phase of Araksha possible, we organized a two-day food stall and also sold tickets at three different locations over three days. Our committee members actively handled the sales and engaged with the community to raise funds. In addition to these efforts, several generous individuals contributed donations to support the project.

Thanks to these combined efforts and the strong support from the community, we were able to raise sufficient funds to carry out the third phase successfully, ensuring that the selected bus received the necessary repairs and maintenance.

Reviving Phase Three at Ambalangoda Depot

First of all, the project chairperson contacted the Ambalangoda Depot to discuss carrying out this major work for the third phase. After consultation, 22nd December was selected as the date for the activity.

On the scheduled day, all project committee members arrived in the morning, met with the depot engineer and began preparations following his guidance. For this phase, we selected the WP ND-9519 long-distance sensor bus, operating on the Ambalangoda to Badulla route. The braking system of this bus was repaired, and all necessary equipment and materials were purchased using the funds raised by our committee. Committee members actively assisted the technical team throughout the process, ensuring smooth progress.

Thanks to the excellent cooperation and coordination between the project committee and the depot’s technical team, the work was completed in a single day. This timely completion ensured that the bus was ready for public use, providing safe and reliable transportation for both daily commuters and long-distance travellers.

Repairs and Upgrades Completed

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

 Repairing all wheels of the bus to improve stability and safety.

 Replacing worn-out tyres to enhance road grip and comfort.

 Installing new brake pads to maintain optimal braking efficiency.

After these repairs and upgrades, the bus is now fully operational and ready to provide safe and comfortable transportation for passengers along the Ambalangoda to Badulla route.

A Step Toward a Bigger Mission

With three phases successfully completed, the Araksha project continues to advance public transportation safety, showcasing the true Leo spirit of leadership, teamwork, and service.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Ambalangoda Depot for their guidance and support. We are also grateful to the project community for organizing fundraising activities and to all the generous individuals who donated money to make this phase possible.

There are still three more phases to be carried out at the remaining SLTB depots, and we look forward to continuing this mission with the same teamwork and dedication. Through these efforts, we aim to create a lasting positive impact, ensuring safer and more reliable journeys for passengers across Sri Lanka.

-By Leo Onethra Thissera-