L–R: Prasanna De Zoysa, Sectional Chairman, Road Safety and Environmental Management, AAC; Tim Shearman, President, Canadian Automobile Club; Mandy Grogan from Australian Automobile Club; Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA; Dhammika Attygalle, President, AAC; Devapriya Hettiarachchi, Secretary, AAC; and Joe Ferreria, President Philippines Automobile Club, after receiving the FIA Innovation Challenge 2026 Region II Champion recognition at the FIA Asia-Pacific Congress in Boracay, Philippines.
The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) has brought international recognition to Sri Lanka after being named a Region II (Asia-Pacific) Champion of the FIA Innovation Challenge 2026, securing recognition for two innovative projects.
The achievement was announced at the FIA Asia-Pacific Congress held in Boracay, Philippines, where AAC was recognized for its “AAC Mobility Lifeline” initiative and “Solar-Guard” road safety system.
The AAC Mobility Lifeline was developed in response to Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025, when AAC converted its 24-hour roadside assistance call center into a mobility coordination hub to assist road users and motorists affected by the disaster. Emergency calls increased during this period. AAC mobilized its Technical staff and over 160 accredited garages across the country.
AAC has also contributed 25 million rupees to the President’s Fund in support of those affected by Cyclone Ditwah and the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” program.
The Association’s second recognized project, Solar-Guard, is a solar-powered road safety early-warning system developed in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. Solar-powered LED blinking lights are installed at hazardous locations and areas with poor visibility to provide motorists with continuous visual warnings.
As the system operates independently of the national electricity grid, it provides a sustainable and practical road safety solution.
Congratulating AAC on its achievement, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President, FIA commended the Automobile Association of Ceylon and AAC President Dhammika Attygalle, highlighting the Association’s commitment to supporting members during emergencies and introducing innovations aimed at saving lives on the road.
Speaking on the achievement, Dhammika Attygalle, President of the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), stated that the recognition reflected the Association’s team commitment and strong mobility network, while highlighting Sri Lanka’s ability to develop practical solutions to emergency mobility and road safety challenges.
The international recognition marks a significant achievement for the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC, reaffirming its commitment to road safety, innovation, sustainable mobility, and service to Sri Lanka’s motoring public.
