News
Ideal Motors appoints Dilani Yatawaka as Group MD and CEO
Ideal Motors (Pvt) Ltd, the authorized distributor for Mahindra vehicles in Sri Lanka and a flagship subsidiary of the Ideal Group, announced on Friday the appointment of Dilani Yatawaka as its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2025.
A release issued by the Ideal Motors said: Yatawaka becomes the first female business leader to hold this position in Sri Lanka’s automotive industry, setting a new precedent for women in leadership.
With over 25 years of experience in finance and the automotive sector, Yatawaka transitions from her previous role as Group Finance Director, bringing a proven track record of strategic leadership and operational excellence to her new position.
A distinguished alumna of St. Bridget’s Convent, she is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (FCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK (FCMA, UK), and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (FCMA). She is also a Certified Management Accountant (CIMA). Yatawaka began her career at Ernst & Young before joining Associated Motorways (AMW) as Financial Controller, eventually rising to the role of Group Finance Director.
Her pivotal role in restructuring AMW following its acquisition by the UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group showcased her strategic acumen and leadership capabilities.
She joined the Ideal Group in 2017 as Finance Director and has since steered the company through multiple crises—including the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic downturn—without layoffs or salary cuts, exemplifying resilience and compassionate leadership.
Identifying an opportunity to strengthen Mahindra & Mahindra’s after-market segment, Yatawaka led a strategic overhaul that included pricing revamps, securing supplier support from Mahindra, and launching targeted awareness campaigns. Within five months, these initiatives significantly boosted after-market sales.
Yatawaka’s leadership philosophy centers on the principle that “companies and employees grow together through recognition and empowerment.” Her appointment reflects her ability to drive profitability while nurturing a people-centric culture.
Nalin Welgama, Founder and Chairman of the Ideal Group, praised her historic appointment:
“Dilani’s strategic vision and resilience were instrumental in Ideal Motors’ turnaround. Her success in revitalizing our after-market business—and her unwavering commitment to our team—made her the natural choice to lead the company into its next decade of growth. Her appointment as the first female MD/CEO in Sri Lanka’s automotive sector is a proud moment for our industry.”
News
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
News
Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
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