Joint effort of Holcim Lanka and “Institute of Professional and Safe Drivers of Sri Lanka” (IPSD-SL) to achieve realistic “Road Safety Culture”. IPSD-SL is owned and manged by Dr. P Rohitha Rathnaweera a prominent road safety professional with international and local recognition.
The Institute of Automotive Engineers of Sri Lanka has made history during the past month by producing “Formula McLarens” a formula car with the assistance of McLarens group of companies.
The vehicle which confirms to the standards specified by the federation of society for Automobile Engineers was the work done by nine students from the German Technical Training Institute who is also young aspiring members of the Automobile Engineers. These youngsters were under the careful guidance of Dr. Rohitha Ratnaweera.
DDr. Ratnaweera who delivered the opening speech at the unveiling of the Formula McLaren said the credit should go to these youngsters who are on the average age of 21 years.
This is a proud moment to show their talent which speaks volumes when having a deep look at the vehicle which was completed in less than a month.
The Formula McLaren produced by the Young Autoimobile Engineering Students of the German Tecchnical Training Institute.
The Formula which is the one third the size of an original Formula is made to work on a 6000 Honda engine which can touch a speed of 140 kms. Nine of them attended on different sections of the machine which made thing to close early. They really worked hard to put this machine in order and also to see the machine does the required testing before it is sent for the international competition scheduled for next month in Japan.
Dr. Ratnaweera adding further said it is a fact that these young students came up with an historic event, but all these happened because the McLearn group came up with the financial assistance which in the most wanted to achieve things of this great value. The McLarens group led by Rohan de Silva, who is an ardent racing fan and a former Formula driver, had the idea to improve the Formula driving in Sri Lanka. This is the reason he took a keen interest in promoting production of this vehicle and also allocated a thumping sum of money to complete this project on time. All credit to Rohan de Silva and McLarens group of companies, said Dr. Ratnaweera.
The nine Automobile Engineering students with their history making product along with their Instructor and the Officials of the Sponsors Group McLarens Group of Companies.
Dr. Ratnaweera also commended the hard work done by the to-be-Automobile Engineers from the German Technical Training Institute for dedication put forward towards this project. He also said that already they have planned to build ten more Formula cars before the end of next month to compete along with the Indian counterpart in India. Dinesh Jayawardene one of leading Formula drivers in Sri Lanka said that the vehicle built by these upcoming
Automobile Engineers is in superb condition to race.
I had the privilege to do the test runs before on two local tracks Pannala and Mirigama. Driving this machine is very comfortable and also sure to achieve its best in the near future. I am sure this vehicle will bring laurels not only to the country but also to pioneers of this project.
It was also said that four drivers Dinesh Jayawardene, Nadeera Jinasena and two of the young hopeful engineers are to drive this vehicle in Japan. Though only two youngsters are given the opportunity all nine juniors are to visit Japan to witness the achievements of their product on the track.
The drivers Shanaka Dias and Danushka Udayanga will participate during the race. The event will see points being allocated according to the specifications and other definitions instituted by the International Body of the Automobile Engineers Institute.
The hopeful Automobile Engineers who undergo training at the German Technical Training Institute who rendered their services to make this project a reality are Viran Weerakkody team leader a former Anandian.
The others are S. Ariyadasa (Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya) Bhathiya Welagedera (Maliyadeva Vidyalaya, Kurunegala). Malintha Dias, (S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa) D. Bandara Herath (Poramadulla MV), M. Shafiq (Maliyadeva Vidyalaya Kurunegala), D. Udayanga (Piyaratana MV, Padukka) Sampath Wijetillke (Kegalu Vidyalaya) and Shanaka Dias (St. Peter’s College, Colombo).
A.G. Samarasekara the president of the Institute of Automobile Engineers Sri Lanka commended the work done to develop this history making project and also donated a cash award to further the project.
GISST and IPSD offices in Sri Lanka has moved into its new office and administrative building completed at a cost of over USD 160,000. This office building will have space for three office rooms, two training rooms, a meeting room and associated facilities. This all in one complex will for sure help in concentrating of efforts to provide an even better service for clients.
The MD – Dr. Rohitha Rathnaweera personally participated and qualified as an Instructor in most practiced Defensive Driving System in the world – DDC Instructor Training Program conducted by National Safety Council – USA. This program was conducted at NSC training center – New Orleans, Louisiana and only two candidates successfully completed the program. This program gives him to operate as a “Licensed Defensive Driving Training Instructor” for National Safety Council- USA who will provide all training material, handbooks and certificates for all future trainees.