Demand builds immediately for Sri Lanka’s first State-run automotive service hub

Industry, Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Rishad Bathiudeen (centre left), joined by State Minister of Industry, Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development and Vocational Training Buddhika Pathirana (centre right), State Trading (General) Corporation Chairman Hussein Bhaila (right) and STC Executive Director Reyaz Salley (left) inspects computer monitors at the STC Wheel Alignment Centre in Colombo on 11 September

Minister Rishad Bathiudeen joined by Minister Buddhika Pathirana, State Trading (General) Corporation Chairman Hussein Bhaila and STC Executive Director Reyaz Salley launch the STC Wheel Alignment Centre

• STC launches Sri Lanka’s first State-owned WAC thanks to Unimo Enterprises’ gift
• “Our thanks to UNIMO, expanding this further”: Rishad 
• Private vehicle owners pack the new centre for services; “we are booked,” says STC 

No sooner the first-ever State run Wheel Alignment Centre (WAC) for the four wheel light vehicle class was launched on 11 September, demand for its services peaked –that too, not from State-owned vehicles but from private vehicle owners hungry for trustworthy servicing. 

“Eight vehicles, including high-roof ambulances, have been serviced within just seven hours’ of opening of STC Wheel Alignment Centre (STCWAC). More private vehicles are now being booked,” said Government-owned State Trading (General) Corporation (STC) Chairman Hussein Bhaila on 12 September. 

STCWAC is a free gift to the STC by Unimo Enterprises Ltd. – the fully owned subsidiary of United Motors Lanka PLC – and was launched by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development and Vocational Training Rishad Bathiudeen on 11 September in Colombo, joined by State Minister of Industry, Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development and Vocational Training Buddhika Pathirana, Chairman Bhaila and STC Executive Director Reyaz Salley. 

STCWAC is the first ever State-run Wheel Alignment Centre providing services to the public –and at very competitive prices. 

“STC sells 10 tyre brands and one such brand is Yokohama, the Japanese made tyre which is among the global top ten. We sell Yokohama tyres on behalf of Unimo Enterprises Ltd., its sole distributor in Sri Lanka. Unimo Enterprises Ltd. gifted the WAC to us,” said Chairman Bhaila. STC uses a number of auto-technicians and auto servicing assistants in its WAC.

At the 11 September’s WAC launch event, Minister Bathiudeen thanked Unimo Enterprises Ltd. and United Motors Lanka PLC for their free grant to STC. “We thank them for this gift. We now start with light vehicles, and based on its success, we can open a new one for heavy vehicles too. Also based on the success of this WAC, we will go for more WACs in the other eight showrooms of STC,” added Minister Bathiudeen. 

“Thanks to Unimo Enterprises Ltd. and United Motors Lanka PLS, STC is now becoming a one stop shop for customers visiting to purchase their tyres as they can correct their wheels right here. This WAC is not for heavy vehicle class but for light vehicles –though it can service high roof light vehicles including ambulances, SUVs and double cabs,” said Chairman Bhaila on 12 September.

The total value of setting up the STCWAC is around Rs. 5 million (excluding the land value). STC, under Minister Bathiudeen’s Ministry, is the sole State-owned diversified conglomerate in Sri Lanka, offering a vast range of products and services – from household equipment to industrial machinery.