Ather launches second product Rizta as Lankans upgrade to tech-led two-wheelers

ATHER has launched its second product, the Ather Rizta, positioning itself in the Rs. 600,000 to 800,000 range, which is currently the fastest growing segment in the local scooter market.

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Sri Lanka’s two-wheel-er market is entering a reset phase. After years of import restrictions and a flood of low-cost electric models, the country is now seeing a shift in consumer preference towards upgrading to better-built, long-term reliable vehicles. This trend mirrors what has played out in categories such as smartphones and used cars, where buyers have steadily moved from basic, price-driven options to feature-rich, premium products.

That same sentiment is beginning to surface in electric mobility. Riders, especially in urban centres like Colombo and Galle, are showing a growing willingness to pay for quality, performance, and technology rather than simply the lowest upfront price. For manufacturers, this marks a decisive transition point: the market is small in absolute numbers but is maturing faster than expected.

Until recently, Sri Lanka’s electric twowheeler (E2W) market was dominated by entrylevel imports that offered basic features, limited durability, and compromising battery performance. While these vehicles created initial awareness, they also left many consumers sceptical about battery reliability, servicing, and real-world performance. As a result, Electric Vehicles (EVs) were often viewed as a compromise compared to petrol scooters.