• A historic first for Sri Lanka’s automotive industry

Ideal Motors (Pvt) Ltd, the authorized distributor for Mahindra vehicles in Sri Lanka and a flagship subsidiary of the Ideal Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Dilani Yatawaka as its Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1st April 2025.

Marking a historic milestone, Ms. Yatawaka becomes the first female business leader to hold this position in Sri Lanka’s automotive industry, setting a precedent for women in leadership.

With over 25 years of expertise in finance and the automotive sector, Ms. Yatawaka transitions from her role as Group Finance Director, bringing a proven track record of strategic leadership and operational excellence to her new position.

A distinguished alumna of St. Bridget’s Convent, Ms. Yatawaka qualified as a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (FCA), Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK (FCMA, UK) and Fellow Member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants Sri Lanka (FCMA). Further she was qualified as a Certified Management Accountant (CIMA). She began her career at Ernst & Young before joining Associated Motorways (AMW) as Financial Controller, rising to Group Finance Director.

Her pivotal role in restructuring AMW post its acquisition by the UAE’s Al Futtaim Group showcased her strategic vision.

Joining the Ideal Group in 2017 as Finance Director, she navigated the company through multiple crises, including the Easter Sunday attacks, COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic downturn—without layoffs or salary cuts, demonstrating resilience and compassionate leadership.

Recognizing an opportunity to boost Mahindra & Mahindra’s after-market segment, Ms. Yatawaka led Ideal Motors by revamping pricing strategies, securing supplier support from Mahindra, and launching targeted awareness campaigns. Within five months, these initiatives drove a significant increase in after-market sales for Mahindra & Mahindra.

Ms. Yatawaka’s leadership philosophy centers on “companies and employees growing together with due recognition and empowerment.” Her appointment reflects her ability to drive profitability while fostering a people-centric culture.

Mr. Nalin Welgama, Founder and Chairman of the Ideal Group, praised her groundbreaking achievement: “Dilani’s strategic vision and resilience were instrumental in Ideal Motors’ turnaround. Her success in revitalizing our after-market business—and her unwavering commitment to our team—made her the natural choice to lead the company into its next decade of growth. Her appointment as the first female MD/CEO in Sri Lanka’s automotive sector is a proud moment for our industry.”