Three-wheeler drivers in the Sigiriya area staged a protest today (29), voicing strong opposition to drivers providing transport services through mobile applications such as PickMe and Uber, claiming that such services have become a serious problem for the region.
The protesters said the cost of purchasing a three-wheeler has now risen to around Rs. 2 million, and that despite making such investments—often through finance schemes—they are unable to earn a sustainable income due to competition from app-based drivers operating in the area.
As part of the protest, the three-wheeler drivers also carried out a shramadana campaign to remove garbage allegedly discarded along roadsides by drivers operating through these mobile applications.
Addressing the protest, participants said app-based transport services have pushed local three-wheeler drivers into severe financial hardship. They claimed that many drivers, after purchasing vehicles at high prices and repaying loans, are now struggling to support their families. Protesters further alleged that app-based drivers pick up hires informally from village roadsides rather than operating through recognised taxi points, depriving local three-wheeler associations of income.
Police officers from the Sigiriya Police Station arrived at the scene, where an Assistant Superintendent of Police stated that the authority to disperse the protest rests with officers of the rank of Police Inspector or above.
In response, the three-wheeler owners said they respect the law and clarified that their gathering was intended to conduct a community clean-up to remove waste left behind by app-based drivers, rather than to disrupt public order.
Following the protest, the group visited the Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha to inform the chairman of their grievances. The chairman stated that PickMe and Uber are recognised institutions and that there is no legal authority to prevent them from operating. However, he assured that steps would be taken to prevent improper parking in public areas in the future.
