Getting the best mileage for Caltex lubricants
Young and dynamic Salman Saadat, Country Manager,
Marketing Lanka Lubricants Ltd., is in Sri Lanka on a
dedicated mission - marketing "CALTEX". Full of
enthusiasm and drive, Salman who is from Pakistan has
studied the Sri Lanka market place and is brimming
with enthusiasm. Excerpts from his interviews:
SadaatQ: Caltex was a household name in Sri Lanka in the good old days. How did you make your re- entry into the market?
A: I believe we got the opportunity when the government was privatising Lanka Lubricants Ltd., from Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Since our association with the market was there over the years, we felt that it was a very good opportunity to enter the market. Hence we bid (successfully as it turned out) for Lanka Lubricants.
Q: Lanka Lubricants seems to be sponsoring Motor Sports in a big way. What were your impressions of motor racing in Sri Lanka-Mahagastota, Fox Hill, Katukurunda and the Kandy Road Race?
A: I was very pleasantly surprised to see the enthusiasm for motor racing in Sri Lanka. Being a foreigner I had an impression that motor sports might not be that popular. It was a real surprise for me to see that so many people even if they do not participate, would like to see the sport. As for us the individual events are concerned at Mahagastota. Mahagastota is a very interesting track because it has a very long history and when we become involved in the sponsorship, I got to know some of it. It’s a very challenging track because the corners are very, very sharp and the drivers really get a chance to show their skill.