Sri Lanka’s first vehicle assembly plant built by Mahindra Ideal Lanka in Mathugama was inaugurated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe together with Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India. Mahindra Ideal Lanka is a joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra of India and Ideal Motors of Sri Lanka. Charitha Ratwatte, Advisor to the Prime Minister; Mangala
Yapa, Chairman, BOI; Senior officials from the Government of Sri Lanka; Nalin Welgama, Chairman, Ideal Group as well as Dr Pavan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra and several other dignitaries were also present at the event. In his address, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe mentioned the substantial opportunities that exist for industrial collaboration between Indian
and Sri Lankan companies given the complementarities. He also thanked the Indian leadership for the continued confidence in and support to Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu noted that the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant set up in Kalutara by the India-Sri Lanka joint venture is a reflection of what Sri Lanka and India can achieve collectively. He added that the plant
symbolises the promotion of ‘Make in Sri Lanka’ alongside ‘Make in India.’ He further pointed out that it demonstrated the commitment of Indian companies to stand with Sri Lanka during difficult times. The plant primarily caters to the local market. It will create local jobs, bring in investments as well as technology innovation and skill sets.
