Hayleys Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, the specialist construction and engineering arm of the Hayleys Group, has been selected to undertake the expansion of Continental’s tyre manufacturing facility in Wagawatta, Kalutara, strengthening Sri Lanka’s capacity to support globally focused industrial investments.
The appointment was formalised at a contract signing ceremony held in Colombo on 21 July, with the project forming part of Continental’s broader investment programme in Sri Lanka under the Board of Investment (BOI).
The expansion is expected to increase Continental’s manufacturing footprint and local pre-production capabilities while creating approximately 200 additional employment opportunities. The investment further supports Sri Lanka’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional manufacturing and export hub.
Under the turnkey contract, Hayleys Engineering will oversee the end-to-end delivery of the project through an integrated engineering and project management model. The scope will cover civil construction, structural engineering, pre-engineered steel buildings (PESB), mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, utility infrastructure and site development.
Specialist capabilities will also be provided by Hayleys Fentons and ATAD Steel Structure Corporation of Vietnam, working alongside Hayleys Engineering to deliver the project under a coordinated framework.
Speaking at the contract signing, Hayleys PLC Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage said the appointment demonstrates the ability of Sri Lankan engineering companies to execute complex industrial projects in accordance with international standards.
“Continental’s decision to appoint Hayleys Engineering reflects the capability of Sri Lankan companies to deliver complex industrial projects to international standards. Through our integrated engineering expertise and project management capabilities, we are committed to supporting investments that contribute to the country’s manufacturing sector and long-term industrial development,” he said.
Managing Director of Hayleys Engineering, Choliya De Silva, highlighted the technical complexity of the project and the importance of coordinated execution across multiple engineering disciplines.
“The project demands close coordination across civil works, structural systems, utilities and engineering services to meet the technical requirements of a modern manufacturing facility. Our focus is on delivering each phase safely, efficiently and in line with Continental’s operational timeline and quality standards,” he said.
The project further strengthens Hayleys Engineering’s role in developing Sri Lanka’s industrial infrastructure while demonstrating the capacity of local engineering expertise to support the expansion of globally recognised manufacturing operations.
The Continental expansion is also expected to contribute to wider economic activity through employment generation, industrial capability development and increased local participation in a globally integrated manufacturing value chain.
IPS Celebrates Six Researchers Awarded Prestigious Graduate Scholarships
The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) is celebrating the academic achievements of its researchers, with five members of its latest cohort securing prestigious scholarships and opportunities to pursue postgraduate studies at leading universities in the UK and Canada.
The achievements highlight the contribution of IPS researchers to policy-oriented research while strengthening their academic expertise in areas including economics, health, education, labour, agriculture and disaster risk management.
Suresh Ranasinghe joined IPS after graduating with a BA in Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Colombo and an LLB from the Open University of Sri Lanka. He received a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship in 2022/23 to pursue an MSc in Development Economics at the University of Nottingham in the UK.
Following his return to IPS, Suresh continued his research in health, education and labour policy. He subsequently secured a fully funded studentship to pursue a PhD in Economics at Nottingham Trent University, UK, commencing in October 2025.
Usha Perera, who joined IPS with a BA in Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Colombo, was awarded a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for 2023/24 to pursue an MSc in Economics at the University of Leeds.
After returning to IPS, she continued her research interests in health, labour and education policy and secured funding from the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council to commence a PhD in Economics at Lancaster University in October 2026.
Chandula Idirisinghe joined IPS after completing a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology and Management with an Upper Second Class from the University of Peradeniya. He also successfully completed a Master of Agricultural Economics at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
With research interests focused on agriculture and agribusiness development policy, Chandula has secured admission to the University of Guelph in Canada on a fully funded scholarship to commence a PhD in Management in September 2026.
Himani Vithanage joined IPS as a recipient of the Saman Kelegama Research Grant. She holds a BA in Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Colombo and a BSc in Economics and Finance with First Class Honours from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Her research at IPS has focused on health, education and labour policy. Himani has been awarded a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2026 and secured admission to the University of Oxford, where she will commence an MSc in Economics for Development in September 2026.
Chaya Dissanayake, who joined IPS with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with an Upper Second Class from the University of Jaffna, has developed research expertise in areas including disaster risk preparedness.
As a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 recipient, Chaya will commence an MSc in Risk and Disaster Science at University College London (UCL), UK, in September 2026.
The achievements of the IPS researchers demonstrate the strength of Sri Lanka’s emerging policy research community and the value of combining rigorous academic training with practical, policy-oriented research. Their continued work across critical areas of economic and social development is expected to contribute to stronger evidence-based policymaking both in Sri Lanka and internationally.
Hayleys Engineering to Drive Continental’s Expansion in Sri Lanka with Major Engineering Project
