Business

CEAT to save the country Rs 11 billion in forex

Published

6 years ago

2020/08/21

CEAT Kelani Holdings has announced that in response to the government’s policies to develop domestic industry, it has stepped up capacity utilisation across all its manufacturing plants to supply the full domestic requirement of truck and bus tyres, thereby helping to conserve much-needed foreign currency for the country.

Rising to the challenge of the temporary import restrictions in place, the company which already manufactures the majority of Sri Lanka’s tyre requirements said it could supply 100 per cent of the passenger bus and goods transport sectors’ tyre needs through domestic production.

This would represent a saving of Rs 11 billion a year in foreign exchange through import substitution, the company said.

“The role of local industry is primarily to supply domestic needs and export surplus production, which CEAT Kelani Holdings has done very successfully for many years,” the company’s Managing Director Mr Ravi Dadlani said. “We have periodically invested in expanding capacity and product range and now export to 16 countries. However, although we can supply 100% of the truck and Bus tyre requirement with current production, we also have the option if the need arises, to shift some of our export volumes of markets that have not yet opened up to cater to the domestic market and support the government’s effort to reduce foreign exchange outflows.”

Elaborating on the company’s capacity to meet additional domestic demand created by the restriction of imports, Dadlani disclosed that CEAT Kelani can currently produce two million tyres annually in many categories with an imminent addition within next few of weeks of a further 200,000 car and van radial tyres since new machinery is being installed pending the arrival of foreign technologists to commission the new capacity.

“It is also our opinion that in many applications it is cost-beneficial and a viable alternative to replace imported 10.00 R20 Radial Truck and Bus tyres with locally produced 10.00-20 Heavy Duty 18 PR Bias-ply tyres,” Mr Dadlani said, pointing out that with its ability to be re-treaded multiple times in a lifespan due to its robust heavy duty nylon construction, users can enjoy a lower cost per km from CEAT Truck and Bus tyres. He said this alternative, in addition to saving much-needed foreign exchange to the country, would also support the local tyre re-treading industry which currently is in need of more good quality nylon tyre casings for its growth.

Truck Bus tyres that fit 20-inch rims are among those that have been categorised as restricted for import at present, along with Car radial tyres that fit rims of 12, 13 and 14 inches.

CEAT Kelani has also announced that it has kept the prices of its tyres unchanged since December 2019 to support customers and the economy.

In July the Company launched ‘CEAT LYFMAX’ – a heavy-duty 10.00 R-20 size Bias-ply tyre for trucks, engineered and built specifically for users who consider heavy load-carrying capability with higher mileage a priority. Each tyre weighs a solid 52kgs (115 pounds) and has been extensively tested and benchmarked against two of the top imported brands attributed with load-carrying credentials in the local market.

CEAT Kelani Holdings is considered one of the most successful India – Sri Lanka joint ventures in the manufacturing sector. The joint venture’s cumulative investment in Sri Lanka to date totals Rs 8 billion, inclusive of Rs 3 billion committed in January 2018 for expansion of volumes, technology upgrades and new product development. The company’s manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka encompass pneumatic tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (Bias-ply and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.

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Business

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka mobilizes business to lead with purpose

Published

18 hours ago

2026/07/4

Thilina Walpola

As businesses navigate an increasingly complex operating environment shaped by workforce transformation, evolving stakeholder expectations, technological disruption and shifting market demands, strengthening performance requires more than new strategies. It requires new ways of thinking, leading, and collaborating.

It was against this backdrop that UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka convened CATALYZE 2026: Social, bringing together business leaders, sustainability practitioners, policymakers, development partners and industry experts to mobilize collective action and equip businesses with the knowledge, partnerships and practical approaches needed to strengthen performance through responsible business.

More than a forum for dialogue, CATALYZE 2026 was designed to help businesses think differently about performance. It reinforced that long-term success is increasingly shaped by how organizations lead, uphold human rights, foster inclusive workplaces, strengthen ethical governance, and build cultures that enable innovation, resilience and trust. Responsible business is no longer separate from business performance — it is fundamental to it.

Aligned with the UN Global Compact’s 2026–2030 Global Strategy, the Forum reflected its three strategic pillars — Equip, Catalyze and Advance — by strengthening business capability, fostering collaboration and mobilizing leadership to accelerate progress on social sustainability.

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka’s approach to social sustainability centres on driving this change — recognizing that meaningful progress comes not only through policies and commitments, but through the everyday decisions, leadership behaviours and organizational cultures that shape how businesses operate. CATALYZE 2026: Social encouraged participants to move beyond intention towards implementation, embedding responsible business practices into strategy, governance and organizational culture.

Opening the CATALYZE 2026: Social, Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, spoke to the role of responsible business leadership in strengthening Sri Lanka’s global competitiveness:

“Sri Lanka has the workforce, resilience, and opportunity to compete not by being the cheapest producer, but by becoming the most trusted. As global expectations evolve, compliance is no longer simply a cost of doing business — it is the foundation of market access, and the decisions we make today will determine how strongly we compete in the markets of the future.”

The Forum featured keynote addresses, leadership dialogues and technical sessions on the issues shaping the future of business, including business integrity and anti-corruption, human rights, neurodiversity and inclusive workplaces, artificial intelligence and the future of jobs, the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), responsible sustainability communications, and workforce resilience. Together, these discussions highlighted how responsible leadership, inclusive practices, and strong governance contribute to organizational resilience, innovation, and long-term performance.

Business

A regional conversation on the future of English language teaching

Published

18 hours ago

2026/07/4

Thilina Walpola

Free British Council online conference brings together leading educators from across South Asia to explore how creativity, inclusion and technology can help prepare learners for a rapidly changing world

The British Council has announced the South Asia TeachingEnglish Online Conference 2026, a free three-day event that will convene educators, researchers and teacher educators from across the region to examine one of the most pressing questions facing education today: how can schools equip learners with the creativity, adaptability and communication skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world?

Taking place from 23–25 July 2026, the online conference comes at a time when education systems across South Asia are grappling with the challenge of balancing curriculum demands, assessment pressures and evolving learner needs. While English remains a critical gateway to academic and professional opportunities, educators are increasingly seeking approaches that move beyond language acquisition alone to foster critical thinking, collaboration, learner agency and participation.

Business

The Ceylon Chamber convenes dialogue on energy security and standards for Sri Lanka’s energy transition

Published

18 hours ago

2026/07/4

Thilina Walpola

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a discussion titled “Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Strategic Insights from Global Markets”, bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors, industry experts, academics, and other stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with Sri Lanka’s evolving energy landscape.

Held at a time when countries around the world are accelerating their transition towards cleaner, more resilient, and technology-driven energy systems, the event provided a timely platform to examine renewable energy not only as an environmental priority but as a strategic pillar of national energy security, with implications for economic growth and long-term competitiveness. The discussion also considered the increasing importance of reliable energy infrastructure in meeting the growing demands of digital transformation, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, electric mobility, and data centres.

The programme covered a wide range of topics relevant to Sri Lanka’s energy future, including renewable energy development, energy security, regulatory and policy frameworks, electricity sector reforms, energy storage systems, grid modernization, investment and financing considerations, and international experiences in energy transition. Particular attention was given to the need for creating an enabling environment that supports innovation, attracts investment, including the technical and safety standards required to protect consumers and businesses as storage and solar adoption scales nationally.