Lanka Ashok Leyland was incorporated in 1982 as a Public Limited Liability Company and started its operations in 1983 as a Joint venture between Lanka Leyland Ltd (a wholly owned company of Government of Sri Lanka) and Ashok Leyland Ltd India , to carry out the business of importation of Ashok Leyland commercial vehicles in knock down condition or fully built and carry out assembly operations, repair and service, body building on chassis and other developments to progressively develop ancillary industries locally.