The Automotive Industry Council (AIC) was announced in Colombo on Wednesday in the presence of Minister of Occupational Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Education Sushil Premajayanta and AIC officials.
Born as a government-supported and privately-led initiative, this visionary organization is resolutely committed to leading the automotive industry into a new era of innovation, skill development and global excellence. Its overarching mission is to revolutionize the landscape of the industry, moving it from a consumer-centric model to a globally interconnected manufacturing powerhouse. The Automotive Industry Council is firmly committed to an attractive vision for the future.
Given that the political landscape continues to evolve, for all stakeholders, especially those in ministerial positions related to transport, the automotive assembly and parts manufacturing industry, engineering and technology vocational and higher education; A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists. The establishment of this council will provide a practical roadmap aimed at reducing road accidents, improving working conditions and integrity of engineers, and promoting decentralized economic opportunities through skills development in these areas. This provides a significant opportunity to actively shape the future of the automotive industry.
Essentially, this marks the first time that a government-backed, privately-led organization has been approved and incorporated for the management and development of Sri Lanka’s automotive industry.
This represents the transformative change this country has been expecting for more than 70 years. The council’s governance benefits from the involvement of six ex-officio members representing the ministries of education, finance, industry and transport, adding government weight to its pursuits. Furthermore, his two pivotal skills-based government agencies, TVEC and NAITA, play a key role in shaping the destiny of the industry. The Council also brings an academic perspective to the fore by partnering with CGTTI and UNIVOTECH, two prestigious institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). This academic partnership underlines the Council’s commitment to developing the talent that will lead the industry into the future.
The Board of Directors covers automobile manufacturers and assemblers, manufacturers of automobile parts and accessories, providers of maintenance, repair, breakdown and emergency services, importers,
Dealers and distributors of vehicles and components, providers of transport services, design, engineering, research and development authorities, national-level associations/chambers within the domain and associations in the motor vehicle sector authorized to issue international driving licenses.
Each of these departments has an important place in the council’s decision-making process, ensuring that all aspects of the industry have an enthusiastic voice. This inclusivity fosters a holistic approach to industry development and fosters a balanced and fair evolution. MFJ