Three-wheeler unions accuse police of double standards

Say big-time taxi companies are allowed to operate, but poor tuk-tuk drivers are harassed

While Police Headquarters says three-wheelers can operate in the curfew-hit Colombo and Gampaha districts subject to conditions, unions and owners claim that officers on duty continue to harass them even going to the extent of arresting them.

Some unions say the problem stemmed from confusion over instructions issued at the highest levels of the police. According to an announcement issued by Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne on the night of May 10 hours before some lockdown restrictions were lifted at 5 am on May 11 in the two districts, only two adult passengers can travel in a three-wheeler in addition to the driver. It also permitted taxi services such as PickMe and Uber to operate on condition that the maximum number of passengers in taxis should be limited to two adults in addition to the driver. Under all circumstances, adherence to health guidelines was made mandatory.

All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ and Owners’ Association Chief Sudhil Jayaruk said police were allowing three-wheeler companies such as PickMe and Uber to operate but were stopping other three-wheeler drivers. “We find it puzzling as to how police are allowing three-wheelers attached to taxi services to operate while preventing others. We raised this issue at a discussion with Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera on Tuesday and he promised to look into it and resolve the matter by next week. Threewheeler drivers have been without an income for two months and it’s unfair that they continue to be denied the opportunity to work,” he said.

There are some 850,000 three-wheeler operators in the country and nearly 380,000 of them are resident in the Colombo and

Gampaha districts, claimed Sunil Jayawardena, President of the National Three- Wheeler SelfEmployed Federation. He said he had received complaints that in some areas in Colombo police officers were forcing passengers to get out and ordering the three-wheeler driver to leave. “It appears that the IGP is promoting taxi companies and victimising other drivers, who are daily wage earners,” he said.

Police Spokesman Jaliya Wickramaratne said all three-wheelers could operate but police would not allow three-wheeler drivers to congregate in so-called three-wheeler parks.

“They can’t stop their three-wheelers in these parks or on the road waiting for passengers. However, if known passengers call them and ask that they be given a ride to their workplaces, they can accept the hires, but they will not be allowed to travel around in these districts looking for hires,” he explained.

Rohana Perera, Secretary to the National Three-Wheeler Drivers’ and Industrial Workers’ Association, said the Police Spokesman’s statements did not correspond with the ground situation. “I went to the Bambalapitiya Police to inquire over the matter and was told by no less a person than the OIC himself that only three-wheelers belonging to taxi services are allowed to operate in Colombo. This is ludicrous. Police are arresting three-wheeler drivers and confiscating their vehicles. They were only trying to earn a living and their livelihoods are being taken away,” he lamented.

All Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union President Lalith Dharmasekara said he believed there was a serious miscommunication over the matter. “I don’t think the message was communicated properly. I hope they rectify the situation by next week.”