Allianz Lanka continues commitment to child road safety with helmet donations for 3rd consecutive year

From left: Allianz Insurance Lanka CSR and Sustainability Deputy Manager Rienzie De Silva, Market Management Head Kasun Yatawara, Chief Distribution Officer Ranga Dias, Sri Lanka Police Traffic Admin and Road Safety Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Indika Hapugoda

Allianz Lanka – one of Sri Lanka’s leading insurers and a part of the global giant Allianz SE – is committed to road safety with a special focus on the safety of children on the road. In line with this commitment, Allianz Lanka conducts annual programs to distribute child-safety-helmets for children. This is because many schoolchildren who travel on motorbikes often do so without helmets, which puts this group of road users at a high risk. Accordingly, Allianz Lanka is conducting its 3rd consecutive annual child-safety-helmet distribution initiative, highlighting its dedication to the safety of children on the road. 

This year’s initiative is once again supported by the Sri Lanka Police, building on a long cooperative partnership with Allianz Lanka, established over the years. 1,200 helmets will be distributed to students across 25 cities on 26, 28 and 29 August. This builds on previous such initiatives which witnessed the successful distribution of 1,500 helmets in 2022 and 1,000 helmets in 2023.

Meanwhile, HHCo Industries Ltd. is also supporting the Allianz Lanka Child-Safety-Helmet Distribution initiative this year and will contribute 200 helmets to this year’s distribution. Working together with its partners, Allianz Lanka has meticulously identified deserving beneficiaries and partnered with the Sri Lanka Police to monitor the safety of these children during school hours. This collaboration ensures that the helmets are used correctly and that the children are educated about road safety. The initiative will also see a broad awareness drive on the importance of road safety. 

Allianz Lanka Chief Distribution Officer Ranga Dias said, “Allianz Lanka is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of Sri Lankan children. Our partnership with the Sri Lanka Police underscores our shared dedication to creating safer roads for all. By distributing 1,200 helmets this year across 25 cities, we aim to equip school children with essential protection and contribute to a culture of road safety. Allianz is dedicated to making a difference in diverse communities through the expansion of our CSR programs. We believe that this initiative, along with our other ongoing efforts, will significantly reduce the risk of accidents involving children.”

The main helmet distribution events will take place at various Allianz Lanka branches across Sri Lanka. Each branch will host an official ceremony to distribute helmets and raise awareness about the importance of road safety. This year’s program thus aims to provide helmets, while also fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among road users, both young and old.

Sri Lanka Police DIG Indika Hapugoda added, “This partnership with Allianz Lanka is a testament to our shared responsibility for the safety of our children. While the number of fatalities resulting from motorcycle accidents decreased from 1,314 to 1,177 between 2022 and 2023, the overall number of motorcycle accidents increased. The total number of motorcycle accidents, encompassing incidents resulting in fatalities, serious injuries, minor injuries, and property damage, rose to 12,556 in 2023 compared to 2022. By providing helmets and promoting road safety, we are building a stronger and safer Sri Lanka for generations to come. We are proud to partner with Allianz Lanka on this important initiative.”