General Law Applies to Disputes Between PickMe, Uber, and Professional Three-Wheeler Drivers

Following a dispute that arose in the Ella area in December 2025 between a registered PickMe taxi driver and several three-wheeler taxi operators, conventional three-wheeler drivers initiated protest actions against taxi drivers affiliated with ride-hailing services such as PickMe and Uber in multiple locations across the country.

As these incidents escalated into confrontations and reports emerged of disturbances to public order, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, convened discussions at Police Headquarters with the leadership of the Three-Wheeler Owners’ Associations representing both parties, along with representatives of PickMe and Uber.

During the discussions, the IGP emphasized that the foremost responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police is the preservation of public peace and order. He further stated that whenever complaints relating to mob violence, physical assaults, intimidation, or threats are reported to police stations, legal action will be taken in accordance with the country’s criminal law, irrespective of organizational affiliations or trade-related disputes.