Page 33 - Annual Report 2020.ai

1. Mr. Niranga Pieris, Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd

2. Mr. Charaka Perera, Stafford Motor Co Ltd

There being no nominees, both Mr. Yasendra Amerasinghe and Mr. Niranga

Pieris were duly elected as the Senior Vice Chairman and 2nd Vice
Chairman of the Association.

5. Address by Chairman Elect Mr. Yasendra Amerasinghe

Mr. Amerasinghe thanked the membership for having nominated him to the
post of Chairman of the CMTA and stated that he will ensure to do his best

during these trying times towards the improvement of the motor trade.

Mr. Amerasinghe thanked the CMTA’s outgoing Chairman for his “journey to
improve the structure and strategy of the CMTA.” He went on to say that during

Mr. Fernando’s term, “we refined our vision, mission and values; assigned
strategic roles to Executive Committee members; and launched several key

initiatives.” Such initiatives include the CMTA’s periodic magazine, and an
increased social media and PR presence. These achievements were recognised

to be spearheaded by Executive Committee members Mr. Charaka Perera of
Stafford Motors and Mr. Virann De Zoysa of Associated Motorways.

Mr. Amerasinghe shared that his theme for the year 2020/21 would be “Unity in

Community”, whereby the CMTA would exponentially multiply its effectiveness
as an association by leveraging its membership at large, as well as key

stakeholders in the private and public sector.

Chairman elect also used the opportunity to highlight a pressing topic that had
continued to afflict the industry: the restriction on imports that has paralysed

the industry. While recognising the state of the trade deficit and the issue of
balance of payments, he shed some light on what the association was pushing

for — an easing of the restriction put in place for spare parts.
In a heartfelt plea, Mr. Amerasinghe highlighted the issues faced by the industry.

He said, “our businesses have ground to a virtual standstill after imports of
almost all types of passenger and commercial vehicles have been prohibited,

along with a great deal of spare parts, many of them absolutely critical for the
operation of country’s economy and essential services.”

Annual General Meeting 2020/21