The onset of the pandemic presented a sudden halt in many areas of business and community activities. However, as the nation adjusted itself to the new environment with proper immunisation and required co-operation for precautionary measures, day-to-day activities gradually picked pace.
As such, Fairfirst Insurance geared to start off 2022 by uplifting the community, especially in terms of safety, by continuing their Road Safety Awareness Programmes. The prolific programme on road safety awareness was born and kicked off back in 2012, and continues to date where they have diligently supported this cause in the hopes that future generations would reap the benefits of safer roads and eventually a safer nation.
With clear instructions given by the health and safety authorities, Fairfirst conducted its first programme for the students of the Horana Vidyarathana School. Together with Sri Lanka Traffic Police, hands-on training sessions were carried out, including live demonstrations to 200 kids on ways to regulate traffic near schools. The programme also included sessions that explain the possible dangers faced by both pedestrians and drivers due to negligence of traffic rules and etiquette. The programme was also later rolled out to Al Hidhaya College in Colombo 10, educating 100 kids. These Road Safety Awareness Programmes are an ongoing series of educational drives that will be seen conducted throughout the year to help curb negligent road behaviour and build a safer nation.
Concurrently, a tailormade training programme for traffic wardens of schools were also conducted to encourage and groom those interested to take on the role. To appraise the efforts and as a monitoring mechanism, these participating students are issued a certificate by Sri Lanka Traffic Police where they are endorsed as certifed Traffic Wardens.
Supun Kotuwegoda, Senior Manager – Marketing and Digital Solutions of Fairfirst Insurance, stated, “What we aim to accomplish through these programmes is to constantly safeguard our country’s future generations in a sensible manner. And to make this a possibility, we are proud to be working closely with the Sri Lanka Traffic Police from the very inception of this much-needed cause.”
“When business does good, it can be a positive ripple for the community. And our hope is that, when these children themselves become the vehicle owners/drivers of tomorrow, they will change this risky driving culture to one that’s a lot safer. It may be a long shot, but together with these bright young children, we believe in giving it a try,” stated Sasith Bambaradeniya, Chief Marketing Officer of Fairfirst Insurance.
What was first carried out in Colombo is now facilitated in 22 of the 25 districts all over Sri Lanka, where Fairfirst has reached over 170,000 school kids in more than 2,400 schools whilst empowering and grooming more than 37,000 traffic wardens.
Fairfirst is a leading insurance company that is part of the Canadian-based Fairfax Group. Apart from serving individuals, businesses, and institutions across this beautiful island, the company has a keen focus and commitment towards the community. Fairfirst believes that “business is a force to do good”. With good business comes good profits, and with good profits, the chance to give back to the community is twofold.
