Global Youth Coalition Member Feature :Nalaka Jayantha

1.    Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I’m an engineering postgraduate student at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Currently, I’m following a Ph.D. degree in Transportation Engineering. My research work mainly focuses on economical and sustainable rigid pavement designs using Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) technology. I am keen on exploring the various disciplines and trends related to highways and transportation. I work on incorporating the knowledge for the betterment of the industry, environment, and especially the socio-economic upliftment of the locality.

As an academic in the field of transportation, I am passionate and geared towards ensuring the connection between the concept of road safety and the community so that the implementation and execution will eventually reach the anticipated goal of reducing the number and severity of road crashes.

2.    How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field? 
Starting from my school days, I have been organizing road safety seminars at a school level. After joining the University, I got the chance to work with Transportation Engineering Division (TED). Since 2017, I was able to participate in various road safety-related events conducted by TED. I was the president of Highway Engineering Society – Student Chapter at that time and we could organize various events for the purpose of uplifting road safety in Sri Lanka. 

Through this society, we organized a road safety awareness program for school children in Kalutara and Colombo districts, Sri Lanka. Phase 1 of the event was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Phase 2 World Health Organization (WHO). There were interesting speeches from road safety professionals including the Chairman of the National Council of Road Safety in Sri Lanka.

We organized quizzes, games, slogan competitions, poster presentations, and many interactive sessions within this program to ensure that the younger generation is aware of road safety. The student chapter also did research under the supervision of the staff of the transportation engineering division to find the best locations to fit reflectors on bicycles under the Bicycle Safety Awareness Program. In this program, reflective stickers are given to the bicycle riders to improve the visibility of bicycles at night to avoid related accidents.

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area? 
In Sri Lanka, road safety and sustainable mobility are not up to standards when we compare them with other countries. The estimated annual road crash deaths per capita in Sri Lanka is twice the average rate in high-income countries and five times that of the best-performing countries in the world. Available data indicates that an average of 38,000 crashes happen in the country annually which result in around 3,000 fatalities and 8,000 serious injuries. Improving road safety in Sri Lanka is vital to national health, well-being, and economic growth. Therefore, a lot of parties have joined with the government of Sri Lanka to uplift road safety in the country. So, we’re expecting to see safer roads all around the country soon!

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts? 
Always, the young generation is the future of the world in every aspect. It’s the same for road safety. Youth can help to create awareness on road safety among people. Guiding or educating one young individual will be an investment in road safety. Youth can spread good road safety practices among people. The message is also amplified because they have the capacity and the enthusiasm to promote road safety within the society as leaders. So, investing time in educating young people on road safety is the best, in my opinion.

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety? 

I came to know about the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety from one of my colleagues. I learned more about it on Facebook and through the website. It really inspired me to become a member and to contribute towards road safety in a global context. Now I’m very happy with the opportunity I have to interact with the members of the Global Youth Coalition. 

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities?
This is a very good platform for all road safety professionals to get together to do something big. Hopefully, this will become a huge global body that will lead to a lot of successful road safety projects all around the world. As a suggestion, I think we should focus on initiating events for educating the world’s young generation on road safety by building partnerships with local authorities of the countries. 

 

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition? 

Initially, as a new member, I felt a little awkward stepping in. However, that feeling just vanished after the first event that we participated in. The members of the Coalition are super awesome, friendly, and enthusiastic. Don’t miss the chance to step in! If you haven’t yet, join the Global Youth Coalition. This provides you a nice bunch of people to work with, JOIN WITH US TODAY!