History
The young Automobile Club was nurtured in the hills of Kandy from 1904 until 1925. Thereafter, the headquarters moved to Colombo and was housed in the Ceylon Chambers of Commerce building in Fort up to 1938. Due to the growth of the Association, the Association shifted to Iceland Building Galle Face in 1946. Thereafter, shifted its occupation to its own premises at No.28 Church Street (Sir Mohamed Macan Markar Mawatha) Galle Face. This was a picturesque spot fronted by a spacious lawn decked with fragrant frangipani trees and right in the heart of the city of Colombo.
But with the construction of its 5 storied building a few yards away, the headquarters moved into occupation in 1963 where it is now housed. It has an auditorium, boardroom, a lounge and a billiards parlour. Some of the floors of this building are leased out to earn extra income. The Technical and Road Services Department are also housed in the same compound. This property is nearly 90 perches in extent. In the year 2002, the then Committee constructed the 4 storied Millennium building in the eastern side of the premises. The entire Millennium building is rented out to earn more income from its investments.
But with the construction of its 5 storied building a few yards away, the headquarters moved into occupation in 1963 where it is now housed. It has an auditorium, boardroom, a lounge and a billiards parlour. Some of the floors of this building are leased out to earn extra income. The Technical and Road Services Department are also housed in the same compound. This property is nearly 90 perches in extent. In the year 2002, the then Committee constructed the 4 storied Millennium building in the eastern side of the premises. The entire Millennium building is rented out to earn more income from its investments.
Events & Milestones
1904
- Inauguration Reliability Trial from Kandy to Kegalle and back.
1927
- Reliability trial from Kandy to Kegalle and back.
- Motor Show.
- Commencement of the publication of "The Record".
1929
- Free Legal Defence Scheme.
1932
- Affiliated to the Alliance International de Tourism, Geneva, Switzerland (the World's largest Motoring and Touring Organisation) and entitled to issue the International Driving Permits, Carnets de Passages,Triptyques and other foreign travel documents.
Membership Growth
1904
- 100
1910
- 200
1916
- 750
1948
- 4,700
1953
- 10,000
1961
- 16,000
Present
- 11,200
AAC Premises
1904 - 1925
- Kandy
1925 - 1938
- Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Building, Colombo
1938 - 1946
- Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Building, Colombo
1946
- No. 28, Church Road, Galle Face.
Present
- No.40 Sir Mohamed Macan Markar Mawatha, Colombo 3