Business
Sathosa Motors celebrates 60 years of excellence and partnership with Isuzu

Sathosa Motors PLC
Positioned at the forefront of the commercial vehicle industry segment, Sathosa Motors (SML) PLC celebrates its glorious 60th anniversary in 2022, coinciding with its 60th year of partnership with Isuzu Japan since 1962, the most trusted Japanese truck brand and the market leader in the Japanese commercial truck segment in Sri Lanka. SML can be credited with the rise in popularity of Japanese vehicles in Sri Lanka, making Isuzu the most sought-after vehicle by fleet owners, the government sector, etc. SML is now star-rated by Isuzu Motors Japan, a distinguished quality standard provided for the facility, customer experience, technical expertise, and standard equipment usage, and among the top 16 Isuzu dealers worldwide. Sathosa Motors PLC (SML) is also the franchise holder for Isuzu vehicles, Isuzu Marine Engines, and Isuzu Genuine spare parts manufactured by Messrs Isuzu Motors Limited.
Proud history
Isuzu vehicles and spare parts imports and sales were handled by the New Vehicles & Machinery Department of C.W.E. up to 1985. The Ministry of Trade and Commerce under whose purview C.W.E. operated, decided to convert the New Vehicles & Machinery Department as a fully owned subsidiary company of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment titled “Sathosa Motors Limited” on 1 January 1985 to give more freedom to carry on business operations efficiently, facing competition from other vehicle dealerships. Access Engineering PLC (AEL), a leading business enterprise in Sri Lanka, acquired the shareholding held in Sathosa Motors PLC by ITOCHU Corporation of Japan in February 2012. Subsequently, through the mandatory share purchase offer Access Engineering increased their shareholding up to 84.42%. In its most recent pioneering achievement, SML introduced the EURO IV emission standard commercial trucks in 2018, the first brand new EURO IV vehicles to enter the market. SML has commenced sales of Isuzu Marine Engines in 2021, continuing its legacy of the highly reliable diesel engine in the Marine Sector.
Christopher Joshua, the Managing Director of SML said, “We are delighted to celebrate SML’s 60th anniversary this year and to be reputed as the market leader in the Japanese commercial truck category of the automotive industry. During this landmark year, we are also celebrating 60 years of our partnership with Isuzu, a renowned vehicle brand in the world. We are grateful to Isuzu for retaining their faith and confidence and support to SML for over six decades and for bestowing a coveted star rating to SML as one of its best 16 dealers worldwide, which is a real honour for SML and reflects its professional and trustworthy service. Buoyed by our loyal customer base and ability to adapt to the new normal, SML is driving a new identity in aftersales services for strengthening its leadership position.”
State-of-the-art aftersales facilities
Six decades later, SML has created a value proposition for its loyal customer base by providing unmatched after-sales care service. The company’s key business lines are sales of new vehicles, spare parts, marine engines; and workshop services. SML caters to the country’s need for reliable, low-maintenance transportation solutions, especially to the business community.
One of the main reasons why SML has carved out a leadership status in the commercial vehicle segment is its renowned Isuzu diesel engines, time-tested, reliable, durable, and efficient. Moreover, SML possesses the expertise for commercial engines and repairs which ensures superlative after-sales service to Isuzu customers. The company has built a long-term customer base, many of whom use only Isuzu in vehicle fleets we can call it a prestigious customer base, which represents every sector in our economy.
SML has state-of-the-art aftersales facilities at Vauxhall Street Colombo, Peliyagoda, and Kurunegala. SML has made substantial investments in developing workshop facilities, upgrading them with world-class equipment such as Hydraulic Lifts up to 30T, imported precision tools, and other major facility upgrades. SML’s investments in workshop facilities reaped benefits through the pandemic, enabling the company to post a reasonable performance. Although the sector had a slow start due to the COVID-19 lockdown, steady growth in the volumes at workshops was seen and the year recorded the historic highest in revenue.
The head office and Peliyagoda workshop facilities have been upgraded and improved, increasing workshop capacity. Altogether, the Group has increased its workshop capacity by four times than its previous capacity, catering to a larger clientele in more regions. In its service and repair solutions, the workshops provide services that include all minor and major vehicle spare parts supply and repair as well as lubricant support. SML workshops rely on a range of advanced technology equipment installed for collision repair and analytics. The machinery is operated by skilled and versatile technicians trained locally and overseas, to the stringent manufacturers’ standards of operation.
SML is re-assessing the traditional methods of client servicing to identify innovative ways to reach and service clients more conveniently, safely, and efficiently. In addition, the company is keenly assessing its internal processes, systems, and IT infrastructure to streamline and increase efficiencies in the supply chain.
Marine Engines
The company has been making rapid inroads into the Marine Engines segment, having sold as many as 20 engines within a year of commencing this product line. The brand of marine engines is being well accepted by the fishery industry and boat owners. The Made in Japan brand new marine engines supplied by SML are popular around the world and deliver higher fuel efficiency and reliable performance over a long duration. Backed by an all-island dedicated aftersales support, with Isuzu trained and certified technicians and spare parts supply, the company is building a steady inflow of repeat customers who have provided excellent feedback on the performance of SML’s marine engines.
Strategic expansion plan
Strengthening its position further, SML is expanding its position as a trusted leader in the automotive industry, investing extensively in workshop facilities, and setting up new branches in strategic locations in selected cities. In 2021, a new branch was opened in Negombo focusing on inboard marine engines and spare parts sales. SML aims to expand the workshop and spare parts facilities in the coming year, offering new and existing customers’ direct access to obtain after-sales services from regional branches. In addition, where required, the Company is keen to appoint dealers in remote areas to support customers. The Company now has 10 locations providing after-sales service, of which 03 spare parts branches were opened in Dambulla, Kandy & Badulla in 2021.
Commenting further, Priyantha Perera, Executive Director of SML said, “Despite 60 years in the industry, SML remains agile and has transformed from a sales-oriented company to an aftersales service-oriented company by driving network and service expansion to provide superior aftersales service. Our workshops have state-of-the-art facilities which are the gold standard in the industry and the only such dedicated facility for commercial vehicles which distinguishes our offering. A significant investment was made to enhance infrastructure in the workshops including vehicle painting services in a pleasing ambiance. SML has single-handedly developed the Japanese truck segment, carving out 60% of the market share. More importantly, our workshops offer services to all brands of vehicles although the core business remains Isuzu vehicles. Our teams are professionally trained here and abroad while continuous training is given to ensure they remain at the cutting-edge in vehicle servicing, repairs, and maintenance.”
Why a reliable vehicle aftersales services matter
The reason why people opt for reputed vehicle brands is to ensure they have access to proper vehicle maintenance and care from a qualified after-sales provider. These factors contribute in a major way to the longevity of the vehicle, the safety, and optimization as well as reducing repair costs over time due to the fact that the vehicle is maintained in the best shape by the aftersales service provider. SML has built strong relationships based on trust and reliability with its customers over the years.
The Company plans to grow the after-sales and spare parts segment of the business and introduce new business ventures beyond its traditional and comfort product lines. As a trusted partner for a wide customer base island-wide, SML extends sound advice including the need to maintain vehicles in good running conditions by having them checked regularly, as the ban on vehicle s imports may not be lifted in the foreseeable future.
Vehicles need to be regularly checked, serviced, and attend to any pre-mature irregularity immediately without damaging the vehicle further. Usage of genuine spare parts is important to keep the vehicle in good condition while good servicing and proper care enhance the performance as well as the longevity of the vehicle. In order to maintain the vehicle in pristine condition, you need a reliable after-sales care partner. SML is fully geared to provide that service – offering a free health check-up for Isuzu vehicles using specialized tools imported from Japan that diagnoses the current condition of the vehicle and its performance and recommends suitable repair and maintenance tips. As most Isuzu vehicles are used for the distribution of essential services, we at SML are ready to provide exceptional and uninterrupted service during this period of hardship to keep 100% uptime of Isuzu vehicles to serve the entire nation.
Business
UNDP, ADB pledge support to SL on its public digital journey at key summit

Privacy challenges in the rollout of digital ID scheme also come into focus
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Key officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Asian Development Bank taking part in the Sri Lanka Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit in Colombo said yesterday that they would support Sri Lanka to become a digital economy powerhouse in the region.
The Ministry of Digital Economy had put together this two-day summit in partnership with the UNDP in Sri Lanka, the ADB and key collaborators including Huawei.
The Summit’s first session underscored the critical role of DPI as an enabler in building the country’s digital economy with universal DPI safeguards embedded to ensure safety and inclusion.
With transparency, safety and inclusion prioritized, the Summit 2025 brought together global leaders, key experts, innovators, and stakeholders from diverse sectors for dialogue and action on existing challenges and opportunities around DPI to accelerate economic growth and progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Key participants in the opening session included: Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy; Antonio Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office, ADB; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka; Srikanth Nadhamuni, Founder CTO, Aadhaar; Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Head of Digital & AI Programmes, UNDP Chief Digital Office; and other high-level representations from the public and private sectors.
Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy stated that the government envisions Sri Lanka’s digital economy to reach $15 billion by 2030.
The eminent speakers emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and cross-sector collaboration in successfully designing and implementing DPI at population-scale, particularly with the necessary safeguards to anticipate and mitigate risks.
Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy said, “The primacy given to Digital Economy Acceleration by the Government of Sri Lanka is exemplified by the creation of the Digital Economy Ministry under the direct purview of His Excellency the President. The Ministry is committed to building a robust digital economy that benefits all citizens. Our goal is to use digital transformation to accelerate economic growth, achieve leapfrog elevation of Citizen and Business Services and eliminate asymmetries across the socio-economic pyramid. The establishment, and accelerated adoption of DPIs is a foundational pillar of this strategy. We are confident that the DPI summit will bring together the effort and commitment of likeminded stakeholders to support the achievement of Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy ambitions.”
Dr. Hans said on a lighter note that when he was in the telco industry , his main focus was ‘customer experience’ and now in his new capacity , his focus would be on ‘citizen experience’.
Takafumi Kadono, ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka commented, “Digital Public Infrastructure is an essential enabler of Digital Transformation. As our economies and societies digitalize, Government is called upon to provide the high-speed digital rails and competencies that this requires. We at ADB look forward to supporting Sri Lanka’s ambitions to become a Digital Economy Powerhouse.”
The ‘Transforming Local Administrative Data Collection Systems for SDG Acceleration in Sri Lanka’ project was highlighted during the event. Led by the Government of Sri Lanka, implemented by UNDP Sri Lanka and the World Health Organization (WHO) in SriLanka, and funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund, the project demonstrates Sri Lanka’s commitment to leveraging DPI for improved service delivery, economic efficiency, and citizen empowerment as a first mover country of the 50-in-5 global campaign.
Speaking at the Summit, Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka noted, “Digital platforms can contribute greatly to building trust between government institutions and citizens by enhancing accessibility, transparency, safety, and responsiveness of services. As part of our commitment to advancing accountable institutions for SDGs attainment, UNDP, globally and locally here in Sri Lanka, supports designing national policy frameworks, building capabilities for digital adoption, as well as introducing tangible digital solutions for improved public service delivery. As Sri Lanka spearheads digitalization, this inaugural Summit is a pivotal step in Sri Lanka’s Digital journey.”
Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Head of Digital & AI Programmes, UNDP Chief Digital Office notably spoke about the Kenyan case when it came to digitalization of its national ID programme, and gave her insights on the robust privacy framework and universal safeguards that would be critical in the whole digitalization exercise.
A landmark ruling by the High Court of Kenya in 2021, concluded that the rollout of a country-wide biometric ID scheme was illegal. Kenya’s digital identity rollout was paused for the third time by the country’s High Court in July 2024, pending the outcome of a constitutional challenge.
Business
SDC and partners to impement initiatives to bolster Sustainability Standards and Reporting of the Sri Lankan apparel and textile sector

In support of its efforts towards promoting grater participation of the private sector in Sri Lanka’s inclusive and sustainable growith trajectory aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Sustainable Development Council recently facilitated a mission from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – South Asia Network with the aim of strengthening the capacities of Sri Lankan businesses in the Textile & Apparel sector on sustainability standards and certification, risk management and reporting based on the globally accepted GRI frameworks,
Sri Lanka holds a key position in the global fashion industry supply chain as an ethical sourcing destination for apparel and fashion. However, against the growing global demands for stricter policies and practices assuring higher environmental and social safeguards, Sri Lankan businesses in the apparel and textile sector will need to adopt new initiatives to improve productivity, reduce environmental impact to continue to retain its prominent and respected position in the global apparel supply chain and push into new markets which are demanding and ready to pay a premium for ethically and sustainably manufactured apparel products. According to Market Research Future (2023), the global market for sustainable textiles is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.5% between 2022 and 2030, reaching nearly USD 69.5 billion in 2030.
GRI is an independent international organization providing standards, tools and training to organizations of all sizes to harness the skills, capabilities and data to create sustainable, long-term value and unlock positive change. GRI standards are among the world’s most widely accepted sustainability reporting framework. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, GRI has a network of five regional networks through which it supports organizations and stakeholders worldwide.
Based on the discussions with SDC held through 2024, Sri Lanka was included in the ‘Improving Transparency for Sustainable Business (ITSB) Programme’ to be implemented by GRI in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The Programme aims to build the capacity of businesses to meet market and regulatory requirements while improving practices in labor, economic impact and tax and sustainability reporting among others.
During the mission, extensive consultations were held with SDC and its partner agencies from government, the Ministry of Industries and the Export Development Board and industry stakeholders represented through the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association and ESG Professionals Association to agree on priority interventions for Sri Lanka through 2025 to 2027.
Accordingly, capacity building sessions would be conducted for 100 apparel and textile sector companies in Sri Lanka based on an assessment of current capacities on materiality assessments and impact reporting during 2025. As next step, it is expected to create digital reporting platforms to integrate SMEs in the textile and apparel sector into impact reporting practices through simplified approaches.
The above interventions are expected to strengthen the ability of Sri Lankan businesses in the apparel and textile sector to create value for employees, customers, communities and the environment whilst also enhancing their ability to access new market opportunities in the fashion industry.
Business
Superior quality feed boosts bottom line

Sustainability, poultry modernization, feed costs optimization and animal nutrition took center stage at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)’s signature Chickenomics event in Kathmandu, Nepal.
South Asia’s poultry industry continues to show a preference for U.S. Soy, using it as a key feed ingredient. With its high energy and protein levels, U.S. Soy consistently provides superior quality while lowering feed costs and improving profitability. This event comes at an opportune time as U.S. Soy’s prices are competitive in the global marketplace.
U.S. Soy has achieved some significant milestones in the region in recent months. Pakistan reopened trade after a two-year pause easing market access. In Nepal, key poultry producer Valley Group has signed on to use the “Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy” label on its packaging, underscoring the value it places on sustainability. According to data from USDA, U.S. soybean imports to Bangladesh are up by 36.2% compared to last year. India also has 111,500 MMT of outstanding sales for U.S. soybean oil reflecting U.S. Soy’s growing presence in the region.
Commenting on this surge in U.S. Soy imports, Kevin Roepke, USSEC’s Regional Director for South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA) added, “2025 has started strong for U.S. Soy. We are grateful for our customers across the region who recognize the potential that U.S. Soy holds in advancing the region’s food and nutrition security. We are confident that this will be a turning point in strengthening our partnerships with the industry.”
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