As part of efforts to revive the crisis-affected tourism sector, the Government is contemplating introducing a training and licencing programme to streamline three-wheeler drivers who play a unique role in this sector. Under this programme, registered three-wheeler drivers operating in tourist areas will be trained in providing a professional and safe service to tourists, and a mobile app would also be introduced to tourists to obtain the services of such trained three-wheeler drivers and lodge complaints against three-wheeler drivers or provide suggestions. 

Thus far, most programmes aimed at rebuilding the tourism sector focused primarily on promoting Sri Lanka, tourist attractions, and special facilities. However, in addition to skills development, this programme takes the first step to rid the tourism sector of a long drawn-out issue, i.e. unprofessional and unethical practices existing within the three-wheeler sector – that is, through improving appropriate behaviour and fair charging among three-wheeler drivers. In fact, improving discipline among three-wheeler drivers should be identified as the most crucial aspect of this programme, which should be a priority. This is because the unprofessional and unethical conduct of a considerable number of three-wheeler drivers has tarnished the name of the entire three-wheeler sector. While such conduct has come to be known as a possible threat to tourists visiting Sri Lanka, the same opinion has been expressed by tourists on social media platforms. 

During the past few years, many cases of three-wheeler drivers overcharging tourists were reported. Although such cases are usually reported from the Southern part of the country, tourists’ experiences shared on social media platforms suggest that similar incidents are not at all uncommon in other parts of the country as well, including in Colombo and Kandy, which are two of the foremost tourist attractions. What is more, videos shared on social media platforms provide ample evidence to prove what concerned Sri Lankans call a “three-wheeler mafia”. These videos show how three-wheeler drivers, who do not use meters in a bid to overcharge tourists, verbally and physically assaulting those attached to app-based taxi services which charge in accordance with an established, reasonable payment system. In a context where three-wheeler rides have become a local experience sought by foreign tourists, these are issues that require urgent and concrete action.

However, these issues have persisted for over a decade and remain unresolved for a long time. The main issue pertains to three-wheelers in tourist areas not using meters or not registering with app-based taxi services that ensure fair charges. Although successive Governments devised plans to enforce the mandatory use of meters for all three-wheelers in the country, no such plan has materialised, and three-wheeler drivers refusing to comply with regulations continue to inconvenience both foreigners and locals. Therefore, even though this programme commences as a tourism promotion programme, the authorities should understand that implementing this programme in tourist areas or through a limited number of selected three-wheeler drivers is insufficient and that it should be expanded to other areas and developed further.

While the aforesaid programme aims at reviving a crippled yet important sector and also includes several progressive elements, at the end of the day, the authorities should pay attention to the practical results of this programme. A good plan does not necessarily or always translate into action, and therefore, the authorities must take steps beyond introducing the said app and training three-wheeler drivers; at the centre of those initiatives should be making three-wheeler drivers more disciplined and friendly. That is because, as many videos posted by tourists travelling in Sri Lanka suggest, tourists are more inconvenienced by three-wheeler drivers who con tourists than by three-wheeler drivers who do not speak English or provide poor service.