Under the Ministry of Defence scheme of facilitating Sri Lanka Police mobile patrols with 485 new jeeps, 137 were initially handed over to police stations countrywide recently. The Sri Lankan government has used part of the Indian line of credit of over US$1 billion to acquire this fleet of vehicles for the police, in a bid to cut down on expenditure.
Ideal Motors, Mahindra’s sole distributor for automobiles in Sri Lanka, was recently awarded the tender from the Ministry of Defence for the purchase of 485 units of the Scorpio LX 4WD SUV for the police and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).The first consignment (137 units) was handed over to N K Illangakoon, Inspector General of Police at the Police Headquarters on June 28. Nalin J Welgama, Chairman of Ideal Motors, was present at the official handover ceremony along with Chaminda Perera, CEO Ideal Motors, and Aravinda de Silva, Deputy Chairman, Ideal Motors,
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| New police jeeps lined up Pic by J.Weerasekera |
Issuing a statement, Dr. Pawan Goenka, President – Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Chairman - SsangYong Motor Company, Korea, said, “We are delighted that the Scorpio LX 4W is the SUV (Special Utility Vehicle) of choice for the Sri Lankan Police Force as well as for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The world over, the Scorpio is noted for its tough and rugged nature and its go-anywhere capability. I am sure it will prove to be an asset to the police and the MoD in their day to day operations.”.
Mr Welgama said since its launch in Sri Lanka, the Scorpio has created a niche for itself in the country’s automobile industry. “An unbeatable combination of stylish good looks and robust performance, it offers consumers a great value proposition,” he added.
The Scorpio LX 4WD currently stands as the premium off-road vehicle in the Mahindra line-up. Some 475 units will be distributed islandwide amongst the Police, replacing the former vehicles of the police fleet while 10 units will be used by the MoD itself, a press release issued by the company said.
The Scorpio is manufactured by India ’s US $ 12.5 billion Mahindra Group which operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers, the press release said. |
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