Vehicles manufactured using local raw materials to get more benefits

If motor vehicles could be manufactured in Sri Lanka utilising over 80 per cent local raw materials the Ministry would extend its fullest co-operation for it, said Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama.

He was participating at the occasion of the providing of the relevant license for the manufacturing of the “Yashoda Ambassador 2000 DSZ” vehicle production. Welgama said through the production of Turbo Intercooler BS III Diesel vehicles local consumers would get the chance to purchase it at Rs. 22 lacks.

He also said that 250 direct jobs and a large number of indirect jobs would be created.

In the first budget itself under the Mahinda Chinthana it has been stated that special concessions would be granted for vehicles manufactured using local raw materials. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed to the Cabinet to use such products.

He also said if companies which can manufacture vehicles using over 30 per cent local raw materials, the Ministry would issue licenses and would provide other facilities.

Yashoda Ambassador Motor vehicle Chairman Yasasiri Kasthuri Arachchi expressing said the Ambassador motor car is manufactured using over 30 per cent local raw materials and its consumer gets life protection due to its strength. Moreover, the car does 12 km per litre and more people could travel in comfort.

This is the second factory which assembles motor vehicles under the Industrial Development Ministry and 100 motor vehicles are manufactured for a month. Managing Director Kasthuri Arachchi said however, he hopes to sell 500 motor vehicles for a year.

He also said in the future the appearance of this motor vehicle would be changed as necessary and it is also hoped to utilise high quality local products more gradually.

He said by the introduction of this motor vehicle to Sri Lanka it is hoped that this would receive the status of the former taxis, and he also said that the parts of this can be removed and assembled very easily even under a tree and the consumer would never face a spare parts problem. Industrial Development Ministry Secretary W. Guruge, Additional Secretary Titus Jayawardena and Assistant Directress Thanuja Panditharathne also participated.