Chaminda Wanigaratne rejoins Ideal Motors as Director Automotive

As the nation’s automotive industry revs into top gear, with increasing new vehicle registrations, in addition to active encouragement provided by the Government for vehicle assembly in Sri Lanka, having the right professionals at the top has become imperative for the industry to keep pace with the sheer potential available for growth. The Government’s forward-looking economic policies have purred industry players into consolidating their top management with the best available talent.

Given the prevailing competitive climate, it is worthy of note that Chaminda Wanigaratne is rejoining Ideal Motors Ltd. in his new role as Director – Automotive, at the helm of the Mahindra business vertical of the company. Having previously served at Ideal Motors since 2010, soon after the company commenced the Mahindra & Mahindra operations in Sri Lanka, Wanigaratne was their General Manager – After Market. During this period, he played a pivotal role in setting up a sustainable after-sales business module for the company. 

He was also instrumental in initiating new technology diffusion on Common Rail Diesel Technology (CRDe) in the rural sector, as well as spearheading the diffusion of ‘Mechatronics’ principles, combining electronics and mechanical engineering, in collaboration with the Automobile Association (AA) of Ceylon.

An alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Chaminda Wanigaratne graduated from the University of Peradeniya as a Mechanical Engineer in 1996, topping it up with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management of Technology from the University of Moratuwa in 2014. He also holds National Diploma in Human Resources Management from the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM). 

Having commenced his career as a Design Engineer at Ruhuna 2001 Consultancy Company, he later joined the Southern Development Authority of Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Finance in 1998 as Sector Manager – Industries and Technical Training. He entered the automotive industry in 2004 as Assistant General Manager – Spare Parts and Accessories at TVS Lanka Ltd., a subsidiary of United Motors Lanka Ltd.  Prior to his return to Ideal Motors, Chaminda served as General Manager – Group After-Sales, at Associated Motorways Ltd. (AMW), a fully owned subsidiary of Al Futtaim Group, UAE. He was successful in setting up the Group After-Sales function of the Company, handling seven leading automobile brands.

An acknowledged expert in the latest automobile technologies in Diesel and Gasoline, Chaminda has been trained in India, Japan, Dubai and the Philippines. He has carried out successful research in ‘Influence of Vocational Education System in Sri Lanka on International Technology Transfer in Automobiles’ in 2015 and presented papers at several technology forums in Sri Lanka. He has also served as a Steering Committee member for Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) as a sector specialist in Automobiles.  

“Chaminda’s expertise in mechanical engineering as well as his proven managerial capability is in perfect alignment with the course of action we have charted for the future of Ideal Motors, especially in automotive assembly. While driving the company forward, this strategic initiative could go a long way in placing Sri Lanka on the world’s automotive industry map, in addition to saving valuable foreign exchange,” stated Ideal Motors Ltd. Chairman Nalin Welgama.

Elaborating further, legendary cricketer and Deputy Chairman of the Group, Aravinda de Silva opined, “Our mission to be the most trusted, innovative, and respected brand in the four wheeler industry calls for such motivated professionals at top management level, which will drive Ideal Motors towards industry leadership.”

The Ideal Group is privately held professionally managed entity that has its beginnings in England as far as 1986, where its founder began a company named Ideal Plant and machinery. From these humble beginnings, the ideal group has grown up to a Rs. 17.5 billion  diversified business that encompasses automobiles, two wheelers, finance, real estate, auto parts and accessories, tyres, tubes and renewable energy.  The flagship company of the Group consists of Ideal Motors, which is the only authorised distributor for Mahindra automobiles in Sri Lanka.