• Point out that mobile network coverage issues hampering efforts to prevent harassment of 3-wheeler drivers at the ground level  
• In talks with regional 3-wheeler owners’ assos. and LG bodies on installing meters

The Police yesterday stated that while they are encouraging all three-wheeler owners to register with ride-hailing services, challenges such as the lack of mobile network coverage in certain areas hinder this effort.

Following a complaint lodged with the National Police Commission (NPC), it recently directed the Marine and Tourist Police Range to investigate the alleged harassment of three-wheeler drivers registered with ride-hailing services.  

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Deputy Inspector General of Police – Police Marine and Tourist Range Damayantha Wijaya Sri said that three-wheeler drivers registered with ride-hailing services are facing various forms of harassment locally. He added that steps are being taken to address the issue. 

“We are informing local three-wheeler drivers to also register with ride-hailing service and to operate accordingly. However, there are challenges at the ground level. For instance, in certain areas with no mobile network coverage, they cannot operate through such services,” he said.

He further said that they are currently informing three-wheeler owners’ associations and Local Government (LG) institutions islandwide about the need to install meters on three-wheelers to prevent unfair incidents affecting tourists. 

“We are meeting with three-wheeler owners’ associations at the regional level to inform them of the importance of installing meters. We are also engaging with the relevant LG institutions. Our ultimate goal is to ensure a safe and hassle-free experience for tourists, and we are taking all necessary measures to achieve it,” DIG Damayantha Wijaya Sri added.