Cars made in Lanka

Sri Lanka’s only car manufacturer and exporter Dr. Lawrence Perera speaks to Daily News Business at the Colombo Hilton.

Shirajiv Sirimane

Effective steps should be taken to minimise waste at the Petroleum Corporation which would help to bring down costs, said Dr. Lawrence Perera. “More than usage its wastage,” he said.

Perera also said that lot of fuel is being wasted on the roads and there should be road discipline from the driver.

The Government should look at educating people in this regard and drivers too should not be selfish,” he said.

When did you first drive a vehicle?

He recalled that the first vehicle he drove was a Chevrelot lorry which was used by his father who was a supplier to the diplomatic community. I was 15 at the time.

“This was the era most of the imports were banned and my father decided to start businesses to supply these items for the diplomatic community which was very lucrative,” he said.

Lawrence too wanted to get involved in this business. However his father was against it as the risk was high. “You study hard and try to start something on your own,” he said. Then I tried to assemble a Go Kart but it did not work.

It was also his father who thought that the regional education would be more suited than the Colombo education and changed his school from St. Peter’s College to St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota.

His father thought hostel education would make a person more determined and would start doing things on his own. “I agree with this as the hostel education changed my youth to a more responsible and self catering person,” he said.

Did you like sports?

No I preferred Maths. I played some rugger as a past time mostly because other students were doing. I was brilliant in maths and always had high marks.

Some sports are just a waste of time. Golf is the best way a person can waste his or her time and I consider it a sport which is to only good to talk to other people!” he said.

I don’t waste time in the gym but like swimming, table tennis and badminton. However he likes watching movies especially if they are action packed. “Like the ‘Die Hard 4’ very much and I made it a point to go to the theatre to watch it,” he said.

“However I am sorry to say that I have not come across some good quality Sinhala movies in recent times. If you happen to watch a Sinhala movie, some one is chasing some one all the time. Couples behind a flower bush, mountain or may be villain is chasing another one. I don t like this,” he said.

Why did you not pursue university education?

When I was selected to the University my mother discouraged me and wanted me to come back to Colombo once again and attend German Technical Institute in Katubedda. “She did not like the University culture and now I think this changed my life and moulded me to what I am today,” he said.

During the 1970’s the institute was of very high standard with seven foreign lecturers including a German Principal. After completing his education in the institute Lawrence went for higher studies to Germany and UK.

Where was your first job?

“Soon after passing out from the Institute I got a job at Carmart as a service advisor for five years. Then I found a job in Oman with Chrysler Corporation and after five years once again came back to Sri Lanka and worked for Carmart as their branch manager in Kandy.

He was later involved in obtaining the franchise for BMW. Later I also managed to get the franchise for Alfa Romeo and when I asked them as to why they decided to give it to an individual like me he said it was because of my experience and track record.

Since he did not have experience in marketing he found a partner but later found out that is was his biggest mistake. “Well people become greedy and tend to sin when they handle too much of money. This was just what happened.

I decided to give my first business back to this ‘greedy soul’ and move out after selling my business to him,” he said.

This eventually led to the birth of the Micro car.

Did you have enough capital to start business?

More than money, I needed a 25 acre land since my concept was to create a Automobile village where school dropouts would be given training and making way for them to gain employment overseas for high salaries.

“However since the politicians in the Kalutara area during the time was not keen on this project it was Lalith Kotelawela who was then BoI, Chairman for the Kurunegala district that provided me a land for the project. He was also kind enough to finance my project and I am so thankful to him.”

I had foreign engineers initially and today I am proud to say that nearly 60 per cent of the Micro car is manufactured locally.

Catering to the demand for SUV’s he has also tied-up with a Korean company, Rexton and Kyron to the market which are very fast moving. The company is also perusing overseas orders but are unable to go flat out since they can’t meet the local demand.

So what do you think of politicians and politics?

No I hate the subject. Well, I can say that politicians are like traffic jams. It’s a waste of time, money and energy. Look what they have done to the country.

Can you put a child to school today?

There is no system in place and they make life difficult for us. They are responsible for the high cost of living today. I am also affected by this since I have to pay higher wages to my 300 plus staff.

The living standard and social discipline has dropped from what it was in 1960’s and there is no uniformity in the country and all this is because of politicians.

If you take India there are some corrupt politicians. However there is uniformity and discipline.

What are your views on Provincial Councils and devolution of power?

This something that has to happen. Give more powers to the Provincial Councils and people can wait without coming to Colombo for every thing.

What do you think of the ethnic conflict?

This was created by the majority. Introduction of “Sri’ on number plates and the Sinhala Only Bill along with some irresponsible decisions made by politicians created it. This has put the country backwards.

How do you see the local transport system?

It’s very bad. A country needs a sound transport system I am sad to say that this is not in place in Sri Lanka.

We have to use the rail system more effectively and this will bring down the fuel consumption to a great extent.

I have also proposed a monorail system to introduce more trains using the same tracks. I am suggesting manufacturing engines locally and I have the resources to do it. More engines would get more trains on the track.

“Unfortunately this has got stuck somewhere and I hope President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is doing his best for the local industry would pursue this proposal. In the short time he has been in office I am impressed with the work he has done to the business community and this is the time his initiative is needed for this engine and rail carriage manufacturing project to get off the ground.

It would also save millions to the country which is presently being used to import rail carriages and engines.

What is your favourite past time?

Well it’s my family and to be with my two daughters. I love oldies but now I also like the modern music after listen to what my two daughters are listening. They are both in the university. I don’t like travelling oversees since have to spend such a lot time in airports and on flights.

When I was very young I prefered to travel to Germany and Europe but now I like to visit China and Korea as I love to see the development of these countries. Back in Sri Lanka I love Kandalama.