SLASPA urges motorists to protect their vehicles for long-term use

By Darshana Abayasingha

The Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers Association (SLASPA) is calling on the Government and regulatory bodies to issue guidelines with respect to motor vehicle repairs to guarantee the safety of passengers and pedestrians. 

Addressing a media briefing, SLASPA said collision repairs do not take place to required minimum standard due to the lack of regulation, as insurance companies cut costs and drive down payments. This seriously impacts the quality of repair and ultimately affects passenger safety they said. 

SLASPA represents 18 sectors within the automobile maintenance industry in all parts of Sri Lanka. Its President Amal Piyatileka said steps must be taken to protect the industry, as a breakdown of its viability would significantly impact maintenance and performance of motor vehicles in Sri Lanka. He added that over 30,000 workshops are active all over the island, and there is a need for them to be regulated, represented and a code of conduct be established with minimum standards of work and wages. 

Its membership pointed to several motor vehicle accidents in Sri Lanka, and pointed out how inferior quality repairs lead to far serious incidents even death. SLASPA’s vision includes offering an excellent service on par with international standards to customers in the automobile repair and maintenance sector, whilst clearing obstacles that hinder the forward march of the industry. The association states that its membership offers services and possesses technology superior to those offered by some of the agents of vehicle brands present in Sri Lanka. 

SLASPA President Amal Piyatilake said: “The automobile repair industry in Sri Lanka has a history of more than 100 years. Given the present situation of our island-nation, SLSPA believes that our industry could play a key role as a fundamentally crucial component of the overall economy of Sri Lanka, helping the country to thrive in these unprecedented times. 

“Against this backdrop, our clear-cut vision for 2022 will provide a window of opportunity to address and resolve longstanding common issues confronting the trade collectively. We will endeavour to ensure an efficient, courteous and expeditious service to clients of the members whilst improving the standards and quality of our workshops.”SLASPA announced it had launched FAIR TRADE AUTO as a responsible organisation. It certifies any organisation that holds this logo on their invoices, policies and or workshop/garage is certified as an exemplary business with high levels of moral and technical soundness that protect the rights of the consumer, employee, and environment well as local and international laws and regulations. 

During the press conference, SLASPA urged vehicle owners to look only for SLASPA certified workshops and, in that, those who have Fair TRADE CERTIFICATION for quality vehicle repairs and maintenance.