Sylvi

Members, I had a chat with a person who imports battery's to Sri Lanka. He was in business for more than 4 decades in battery's. He is studding the H/B battery cell changing with new battery packs, so that any body can change H/B battery cell with locally assembled new battery. Will keep A/L informed any new developments. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

terrabytetango, I have forgotten your name on the Al, because few years ago you was a regular writer to Al. Can you give your vehicle model and year of manufacture. To my knowledge some did not have a brake booster. Long years ago, I remember changing a bigger master cylinder then solved this problem. I normally do not attend to any automobile mechanical repairs, still if a person contacts me then I study the replacements already done and attend them. Due to my other Automobile service. To my knowledge this was a recurring problem on most Starlet's had. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

monty, There are many people who do this work on opposite (St Josep) College Maradana. You stop your vehicle on the road go inside the by road which connects the Darly road speak with few people then they will guide to the correct place who will do that type of job. Have to be bit careful because there will be many people will come behind you requesting to help you. Then they also will have a commission additionally to your payment. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Supun Chathuranda, Inform how did you calculate the fuel consumption. Electronic meters can give wrong information. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, iRage, Your post is very correct. I do not think he has much experience with our Automobile workers. If any one goes to buy a vehicle today, Buying cost then the new buyers requirements mentioned according to the early post by member H. Riyas figures estimated may be correct according to him. But no one can predict these costs. Because every spare part shop will never give you a discount at present. What they inform you that the spares are not coming to the country. This information is told to buyers by every retailer to people who visits them for their requirements. I last month imported my raw material requirements for two hundred thousand Rupees from the USA manufacture, without any difficulty. My requirement may be small, but there was no difficulty of transferring the cost officially through my Bank. I was told all-most all manufactures are producing their products at present with out any difficulty. Before placing the order I had a long chat ( Overseas call to my regular shipper, he said they normally have stocks for three months. Only during the Pandemic problem started production was interrupted, but they are in a position to supply without any delay. Let him decide what he should buy. Then do necessary thins as he wish. Good luck for the member. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, (1) Category of men their mentality and habits. Still are necessary to repair Automobiles. At present most painters, Mechanics, Tinkers are not doing a job to satisfy a automobile user to use for a long time. They all do is only to get their money for their daily evening Alcohol give little what is left with them to their family. Not worried about the future family problems illnesses they have to face in future, living with Epidemic. (2) Category. When they go to buy any spares or required materials for the job what they are entrusted to do, they will slowly inform the spare part shop or any hardware shop sales man they buy the requirement for the entrusted job what they do to leave a commission. If spare part shop do not have the part, then they will take the damaged part to a Lathe shop to rebuild same. There also they will have a share. (3) Category. All said people will win your confidence. They become a part of your life,will encourage you to go in for a another old vehicle and redo like the early one. Sell with a profit. Now all are happy. Then all above said people want an a Cash advance for some personal use, you gladly will give that. That will be the last time you will see him. Automobile small time repair garages are also same, Other than established big timers. Their proprietors also face above said problems working with blue color workers. and with purchasing officers. I have faced all above in last sixty years of my automobile and industrial unit of maintenance. I have lived in industry from 1964 to date, no regrets. Above is the life every where in the world. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, HOW MOTOR VEHICLE COSTS WENT UP FROM YEAR 1962. There was a similar situation like today, in year 1962 (59 Years ago) then Government banned all imports of Motor Vehicles and spares. Few people who went out of the country employed for resonable time that they can prove their $ earned enough to buy a car then they get a permit. There one more permit system that was importer has to prove his relationship to get a gift permit then he or she had to pay the gift tax. Like today permits were sold to any body who pays. Spares was allowed on a quota system according to importers who had imported spares early. They have to prove that with past import papers. Also banks have to certify that money was transferred. To import anything have to go behind import control department for number of days, bribe the lover rankers (Then Biggest Note for to palm oil them) in the import comntrol department to get an approval. Then came the CRA. Many items with Motor Vehicles was also allowed for convertible Rupee Account holders. Gems had the highest rate of 25% for their exports and many other exporters also got from 10% of the income from they get, can be utilized for imports. All export Company directors got car permits to import cars. I too got two motor vehicles for my CRA. I got a Gem dealer to export in the name of my partnership which I registered and gave all documents to the Gem dealer to export on my behalf. I only have to sign export documents, give him 125% of the export Rupee value. Within 20 days I get in to my Bank Account Rupee Value. 25% of that I can import 1 Car, my other partner can import 1 car. No restrictions no tax. Only when you sell the cars if you make profit above the cost, then you pay your normal tax. I did number of gem exports like that way. All other earned CRA was used to import for my business requarements. Then I was in the Electrical Maintanance industry. Simple explanation is if any spare part cost is (CIF) 1 Rupee then you have to pay Rupees 1/25. Vehicle selling prices sky rocketed and continued till the Green party allowed all imports after 17 dark years of past regime, All 5-year-old Vehicles and other necessary new items freely. By that dark 17 years Panchikawatthe spare parts importers made big profits also most of the spare parts shops were tenements. Converted to shops by the people who were living on those tenements. Rented To Spare part delears, big time spare part dealer’s bought the tenement lands and build large buildings with number of flows. I do not want to name them, today their 2nd generation are owners of those buildings. Also some of their 2nd generation in motor spares business. I remember my late father used to tell me tahat M/s, Sangaralimgam Pillai was the first to open a sparepart shop in Panchi....., when the Colombo tram ways had the transport service in panchi.... Road. All Motor vehicle importers of today are born after 1978. Before that all motor vehicles were imported to this country was from UK, USA, Germany and Italy. By very old Companies most of them were british owend later sold to Ceylonese. At present ony to my knowledge Carmart, D*MO, Colonial, Richerd Peris, Unit#d Mot#rs A*W and Tuckers are the companies existed in that era, they are still active. BMW Motor cycles was imported by M/s, Wallyes Garage at Kotahena. Cargiles BSA MOTOR CYCLES. Philip bros imported Simcars they had many models. There was few importers one of them was Mr Victor Demel who imported Invicta (2) cars, one and ony car in Sri Lanka Railton still with his family. Railton cars were made to order not many was made in the world. Waker Sons Ltd, M/s, Rowlends, Collets, Continental motors (Skoda) General Trading company later Stuarts, Singer and Bogwards, CFT Motor Engeneering, Renaults Cargiles BSA MOTOR CYCLES. There are more things I can write about Panchi..... Battery manufactories are developing new Batteries with low cost, do not know when they will come to the Market. If any member wants to know more about past please post me a Email to <[email protected]> Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, My next door friend bought a used Suzuki Hybrid 2017 Model registered in SL Certified by (A*W) Agents for all total 3.5M transferred with 6 Months warranty for the Engine and the Battery. The Car does about 8 to 10 Kilometers’ in Colombo. According to agents Kilo meter reading is correct and the meter was reading 54000 Kilometers. He is very satisfied about the vehicle. I will write next part of this post to Automobile history of Sri Lanka by me. Allowed to me by the Moderators. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Surumuna, This is the first time I came across this type of Engine oil testing in Sri Lanka, I have seen many advertisements in USA some time back in Automobile Q&A forums many members requesting can a person know the condition of a used vehicle which that person had purchased recently. This is possible in many countries as far as I know. It is a very good test which cost about US $25/00. In USA many years back, you can send a very small oil sample with the payment within two days they give the result. That gives the engine condition full report, I have read many reports. They all say if the engine oil is contaminated with water and it is in still good condition for many more miles. I remember the test had the Engine present condition, needs a repair. and many more things of the engine. I have not heard this service is available in Sri Lanka. Still you can try there are many private laboratories in Colombo, who do many tests. I do not Know they do this type of test. Most popular one is Bamber and Bruese Laboratory in Colombo, please do try them. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Traveling Worldwide Alto is the best,Micro Panda maintenance is expensive. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, To my memory 1st vintage automobile rally was held in early part of 1950. Sponsored by Tucker's Automobile importers Union Place. I cannot remember from where they started the rally. They turned off from Mount Lavinia hotel Road, ten all who took part traveled along on Galle road and ended up from Galle face Green. Almost every Automobile importer then took part on that Rally. That was a Sunday entire Galle road was crowded to watch the parade full of fun with fancy dress people taking part on that rally. The Rally ended up on Galle face Green. There after every year few rally's were held by Tucker's. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, My land in Colombo 00300 was owned by our family, originally there was many members who had shares in this land. When the last most senior member expired in year 1945 it was sold as all owners for the entire land was unable to come for a settlement how should they divide the Colombo 00300 land. In year 1946 put in for sale by a Court order in Public Auction. Auctioneer had to give first preference to my late father because he was occupying the entire land, was given to him in year 1931 by the last living co-owner of the land who was controlling all the family important matters, was also a owner of a liquor Bar and he had many other tenement lands in the city also out of the city controlled by him. My father in year 1946 bought entire land in the public Auction costing him Rupees 500/00, for a perch. Later in year 1956 he sold 20 perch block in rear for Rupees 1000/00, for a perch. Land price had gone up by almost by 100%. For 10 years. Later in year 1993 that block of land the owners children who was living in Australia and UK sold said land to a land inverter who keep the land for few years develop get all required infrastructure 3PH power Municipal Drain system. Three children sold with a 30 year old house for Rupees 50,000/00, for a perch. Land price had gone up by almost by 500%. For 35 years. 5 years Later the new inverter added one perch from my rear land to that, sold same land blocked in to three blocks, getting three numbers for Rupees 1,000,000/00 a perch to build three houses. I sold my 1 perch for Rupees 750,000/00. Today the Colombo 00300 lands are going for Rupees 6 Millions in interior on Roads and lanes. Galle Road land in Colombo from Galle face to Dehiwala will go from Rupees 30 to 20 Millions. On Marine drive from 8 Millions to 10 Millions. Out of Colombo in Ja Ela the main road lands go for 3 to 5 millions depending on the situation and the extend of land. Interior will go to about 1 Million to 3 Millions. I sold my Coconut land in year 2008 for Rupees 1 Million a Acre, which I bought for Rupees 10000/00 a Acre in year 1980. After 28 years developing replanting with a Tube Well, Fixing water pipes for about twenty trees to water during dry weather time. New holiday home with a small 10 X 30 feet water tank for me to take a dip when ever I go there. occasionally my relatives and friends go there to spend few days. The relaxation in out of Colombo after working here. I may have spend few thousands every year to develop my land for almost 25 years major cost was the Tube well. only that I can remember other developments I did in stages never recorded an a account. I always believe in land investment. Did 10 years from 1988 many imports of vehicles from Japan, Singapore, UK, Europe but never made high profits. Always gave them to the dealers. They had the lion share from them. At present I am 78 years old to go in for any new investments Waiting for the last call with few ailments Due to my bad living habits. No regret for my pat life. Above is my experience in investment. Best wishes for all AL members, for correct investments. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi. countries

Members, Property appreciation is the most profitable thing in Sri alanka or any City in the world. I will post on to the thread moderators had allowed out of automobile matters to post to me.How Colombo propriety had appreciated in last 75 years. Also agricultural land had appreciated in last 30 years. Please log into that thread. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

PreseaLover, 2 KNOWN CAR TUNERS Try Mr, Dammika Fernando. He is at Borrala on Cotta Road. Any one in that area will give location of his house. Those proprieties one time was belongs to One Mr, B.J. Fernando. Who was the owner of Buses, KUKULA Bus Company. That was his Grand Father. His father was Mr, B.C. Fernando who was a Qualified Automobile Engineer in UK. Dammika took over the car tuning business from his Father. I don't have his contact number, if you do a A/L past forums about car tuning you can get his contact number. ############################################################################### Other person, his name is Mr, Mario Dias he is in Udahamulla. A/L past forums about car tuning you can get his contact number Sylvi Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, Any thing to do with food business, Bakery, Lunch packets. In the Night have take orders for Dinner. Or do only for day time without night orders. All above you will want skilled manpower, But still you will make minimum 50% profit. Morning you invest Rupees 25000/= after the end of the day you will have the said profit. There will be still leftovers of prepared food. Give them free to poor. I had the infrastructure which was mine in Colombo 03. I did all above during 1983 to 1992 problems time but I did not have a proper person to handle all above. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, This persons funny question about for a person who had done to a Engine scan. I think he is not living in Sri Lanka he may be a person who had landed from a another planet. Because Rs, 500/= no one can do any repair on a motor vehicle today. When I stared work in 1964 in my late father,s work shop he paid me Rs, 10/00 for a month after feeding me. Our skilled mechanic was drawing Rs,2.50/= for a day. Today I pay Rs, 3500/= for skilled chap, helper is paid Rs, 2000/=today. Two senior AL members on two early posts had explained well, without discouraging him, to post more amusing questions about automobiles. If he understand reply posts posted to the forum after his funny question, then he should think before he write a post to this forum or any other public forum. Sylvester Wijesinghe. Sylvi.

Charithtg, You can do that job yourself. Remove the motor from your car dismantle motor clean examine first the Bendix drive is in order, because you complain about a noise from the motor. If the drive wheel which engage to the flywheel is damaged or slipping, then replace same with a new one or used one in good working order. Fix the Solenoid fork correctly, reassemble the motor. Re fit into your engine and operate the starter motor if the engine starts without any problem (unwanted noise) then the job is done correctly. If you have any more problems then get a help of a Auto Electrician to do the Job. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, There are few work shops in Colombo and close to Colombo who do Hybrid car battery repairs. What they do is change a good battery cell from a good battery, change in to the faulty cell. Later they recharge the repaired battery in a correct way give a very short time of guarantee and send off. I know few of those who repair H/B battery's, they them self say it is not a very good solution for the repaired battery. Those battery repairers say they help H/B car owner's to use the vehicle for some time with a very low cost instead of spending money for a new battery. I remember about decade ago one member of A/L was supporting about H/B cars, I don't see him posting any more, if my memory is correct he had few misunderstandings with A/L Moderators and he was warned number of times like to my self. At that era H/B cars was coming to the country, many people who was able bought new and used vehicles. That time few knew about H/B Batter's of vehicles. At present there are H/B battery repairers are all over the country. I know few new H/B car owners, went back to Engine driven vehicles. I have had close chat with them because they are my Customers, what was their reply was new cars they were able to use for about 5 years without any problem, when they calculated the maintenance of a Engine driven car and a battery powered assisted with a smaller engine, the saving is not a very much different when they go to buy a new battery. I leave members for their comments to my post. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

RandikaPM, This problem may be on the Alternator not charging occasionally, inside Alternator some times can be loose wire connection to the Alternator out terminal or the two rotor brushes are not seating to Alternator slip ring. Or Indicator light may have some problem. Get a Auto Electrification to check the battery voltage. With out engine running. If the battery is in good condition then the reading will have to be 12+ Volts. Then check again the battery voltage when the engine running. Then Alternator is charging then the reading will be13+or 14+. If the readings are below then the Alternator is not generating. This problem may be on the Alternator not charging occasionally. Some times can be loose wire connection to the Alternator. Indicator light. May have some problem with the Alternator out socket.. When did you service the Alternator last. If every thing fails contact me I will check Free of charge. As you are a member of AL. Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

S. Mohamed, Can I recommend a person who will come home, If you are in Colombo will attend for your job. Sylvester Wijesinghe. Sylvi.

Members, In Sri Lanka we had one Mis. Athapthtu later she was Mrs. Amarasekara who was in Motor racing I think she is not in this Paradise world. If I remember there was few more lady's also used to do motor racing. There was one Rally driver to my knowledge who took part in Reliability Trials in 1970 or 1980. I remember her name do not want to state in this Forum Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.

Members, Our Mechanics were capable of modifying any thing about 30 years ago, good to hear that modification. yes cops will not know the owner had modified the Leaf. They will check the Insurance and the license of the vehicle with no knowledge of Electric or Petrol. I will post a detail knoweledge of our Police officers, to the thread which is allowed by the moderators fore me to write about Motor vehicles and related matters. ( Refelections of automobile history of our country by me) Sylvester Wijesinghe Sylvi.