Image of the KOALA (Knowing Our Ambient Local Air Quality) technology

Air pollution is becoming an eminent threat to humanity. Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as asthma. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people's nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs. Understanding the impact of air pollution in congested cities, Mobitel, Sri Lanka’s most caring telecommunications provider has joined hands with University of Peradeniya to conduct a research on air pollution in Kandy, for which Mobitel will be the connectivity partner to facilitate data transmission of air pollution monitoring sensors. 

Kandy being the iconic heritage city in Sri Lana with increasing populace every day, the study will focus on measuring air pollution in Kandy using KOALAs (Knowing Our Ambient Local Air Quality) technology developed by Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Further, the research will also identify the primary sources and levels and patterns of air pollution, which will help the authorities to understand the magnitude of the issue. A project of this nature will also raise awareness of air pollution amongst the public and in future leverage the possibility of linking pollution to health data. Other eminent partners in this notable project are University of Melbourne in Australia; Institute of Fundamental Studies Sri Lanka and Central Environment Authority. 

“With Sri Lanka becoming more congested and urbanized, Air pollution is increasingly becoming a threat and it is our duty to ensure that we curtail air polluting sources to enable a healthy environment for our future generation. At Mobitel, our corporate responsibility focuses on partnering with the right stakeholders so that we as a country can achieve Economic, Social, and Environmental success” Said, Nalin Perera, CEO of Mobitel (PVT) LTD. 

Mobitel is highly responsive to community needs and regularly engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that add value to people’s lives. Apart from facilitating ICT-led social sustainability projects, Mobitel is also engaging communities directly through such empowering and humane projects, thus leading Sri Lanka towards prosperity responsibly.