Sri Lanka’s first ever international children’s art competition launched

Affirming the vision of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), one of the premier automobiles company in the world, Toyota Lanka Ltd. launched the global corporate social responsibility programme ‘Toyota Dream Car Art Contest’ for the first time in Sri Lanka. The launch was held under the patronage of Mr. Yoshiaki Kato, Managing Director, Toyota Lanka at Cinnamon Grand Colombo in the presence of a large gathering.

Launched for the 6th consecutive year in over 80 countries, the Toyota Dream Car International Art Competition is the first international art competition in the country. Entries are open for Sri Lankan children between the ages 5-15, furthermore children can send in any amount of entries to take part in the competition. The competition consists of three age categories, Under 10, 10-12 and 13-15. Closing date for the entries is the 31st of January 2012, children from all parts of the island can participate in the competition, and selected five entries of each category from each district of the island will be displayed at the finals which will be held in February 2012 in Colombo. Five winners from each category will qualify for the grand finals in Japan. Entries to the competition should strictly follow rules and adhere to the guidelines set by Toyota Motor Corporation.

Entry forms can be obtained through the Regional Education Offices, The Toyota Dream Car Art Competition Secretariat, Toyota Lanka Ltd. No 337, Negambo Road, Wattala or downloading the entry form through www.toyota.lk. According to Toyota Lanka Ltd winners and the schools of the finalists will receive valuable prizes in recognition of their performance.

In conjunction to the Toyota Dream Car art contest Toyota Lanka Ltd will be conducting training and providing art material to selected five deserving remote schools in Sri Lanka and a selected IDP camp giving them the platform to compete with the rest of the country.

Mr. Manohara Athukorala CEO of Toyota Lanka Ltd said, “This is a great feat for the students in Sri Lanka, we are able to now take part in an internationally recognized competition in over 50 countries. The goal of Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is to create opportunities for children and understand the importance of having positive dreams through drawing a ‘Dream Car’ using their creative imaginations. This platform will highlight local talent, enabling our talent to compete with the rest of the world. Through empowering the talents of the most rural areas in the country and creating the platform for an IDP camp, we believe we as a strong corporate will definitely change many lives in Sri Lanka”.

Established in 1936, Toyota Motor Corporation is one of the leaders in the automobile industry of the world. Toyota Lanka was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan, to be the sole distributor for brand new Toyota vehicles and Genuine Spare Parts in the country with the renowned Toyota Quality Service in Sri Lanka with over 40% market share. The company has expanded its branches to Kurunegala, Maharagama, Panchikawatte, Kandy, Galle, Nugegoda, Gampaha, Kalutara, Anuradhapura and Negombo.

Photo caption: (Head table – from left) Mr. Thushara Gunatilake -  Director Aesthetic - Ministry of Education, Mr. Damitha Wickramasinghe - Managing Director - Minlo Media House (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Yoshiaki  Kato - Managing Director - Toyota Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Manohara Athukorala - Chief Operating Officer -Toyota Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Mr. Laurance Emmanuel - Executive - Product and Communication -Toyota Lanka (PVT) Ltd. (Inset) Mr. Yoshiaki  Kato - Managing Director - Toyota Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.