Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC, the company behind Sri Lanka’s local taxi service provider ‘PickMe’, has formally written to the Inspector General of Police expressing grave concern over escalating incidents of intimidation, obstruction, and unlawful interference and violence directed at independent transport providers operating voluntarily through ride-hailing applications in key tourist locations. 

Issuing a statement, the company said its letter follows a series of incidents in Ella and other tourist-sensitive areas, where independent drivers using digital platforms have reportedly faced physical assault, property damage, and unlawful obstruction of public roads. Several of these incidents were captured on video and circulated widely online, it pointed out.

PickMe warned that what began as a commercial dispute has now evolved into a matter of public order, commuter safety, consumer protection, and national interest. “No individual or informal group has the authority to declare exclusive zones on public roads or national tourist sites,” Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe, stated, noting that every Sri Lankan citizen has a constitutional right to lawful employment and freedom of movement. 

PickMe emphasised that the visibility of these incidents among tourists poses a direct risk to Sri Lanka’s international image at a time when the country is actively rebuilding its tourism sector. “Such incidents undermine Sri Lanka’s image as a safe, welcoming destination and can have lasting consequences for the tourism sector and the wider economy,” the CEO added. 

The company further highlighted that the creation of so-called “exclusive zones” facilitates price manipulation, lack of transparency, and consumer exploitation, particularly affecting tourists and daily commuters who are denied fair choice and transparent pricing. Such practices distort fair market competition and operate to the detriment of consumers and the broader public.

“As the Government advances its National Digitisation Strategy 2025, including initiatives such as GovPay for police services, digital platforms have become part of Sri Lanka’s economic infrastructure,” noted the CEO of PickMe. “Organised intimidation threatens the livelihoods of over 100,000 Sri Lankan families who depend on digital mobility ecosystems for income.” 

PickMe further expressed concern over reports of uneven law enforcement at local level, where some independent drivers were allegedly advised to withdraw rather than being protected. The company called for clear, top-down directives to ensure consistent and impartial enforcement of the law across all provinces, particularly in tourist hotspots. 

In its communication to the Inspector General of Police, PickMe made several formal requests. It asked for written circular instructions to be issued to all police stations, particularly in tourist-sensitive areas, affirming the right of lawful transport providers to operate without intimidation or obstruction. PickMe also called for a zero-tolerance approach to organised, unlawful intimidation and “mafia-style” tactics targeting individuals who use digital platforms. In addition, it requested the establishment of an internal review mechanism, overseen by Police Headquarters, to monitor enforcement performance in tourist zones. Finally, PickMe proposed the creation of a Joint Stakeholder Coordination Forum that would bring together law enforcement and digital mobility platforms on a monthly basis to share evidence, assess risks, and develop a long-term safety framework. 

While reiterating that PickMe is a technology platform and not the employer of independent drivers, the company emphasised its moral and corporate responsibility to safeguard Sri Lanka’s digital economy and protect consumer choice and transparency. 

“We are committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement to ensure public safety, protect lawful livelihoods, prevent consumer exploitation, and preserve confidence in Sri Lanka’s transition toward a modern, digital economy,” PickMe said. 

The company has requested a meeting with the Inspector General of Police to discuss immediate measures and longer-term solutions to ensure safety for citizens, drivers, and visitors alike. (Newswire)

The post “No one can declare exclusive zones” PickMe writes to IGP appeared first on Newswire.

A complaint has been lodged with the National Police Commission regarding the harassment of three-wheeler taxi services by local three-wheeler drivers in tourist areas.

It is reported that the complaint claims that Police Officials have failed to take action regarding such incidents. 

As such, the National Police Commission has reportedly summoned the DIG of the Tourist Police Unit over the matter. 

Several complaints, especially from Down South and Kandy, have also been received on local three-wheeler drivers threatening drivers of three-wheeler taxi services, such as PickMe and Uber.

Preventing the three-wheeler taxi services from entering tourist areas, complaints also claim that local three-wheelers with meters were charging high prices to both tourists and locals. (Newswire)

The post Inquiry over harassment faced by PickMe & Uber drivers appeared first on Newswire.

Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has highlighted the plight of small-scale taxi services due to the inclusion of the services of large-scale private taxi companies, such as PickMe and Uber, at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. 

Speaking in Parliament today, MP Premadasa stated that the livelihoods of over 2000 small-scale taxi drivers have been severely affected due to this decision. 

MP Premadasa pointed out that small-scale taxi drivers are already suffering due to the impacts of the pandemic and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

He further stated the latest decision by the government to allow private taxi services to operate at the airport has further affected the livelihoods of small-scale taxi drivers.

“Granting approval for such large-scale private taxi companies to operate at the Katunayake Airport is a wrong decision and unfair to small-scale taxi drivers,” he emphasized. 

MP Premadasa requested the authorities to safeguard the jobs of the over 2000 small-scale taxi drivers, when including the services of private taxi companies. 

He also requested the subject ministers to look into the matter and introduce a system that will protect the small-scale taxi drivers as well. (NewsWire)

The post Sajith raises concerns over allowing private taxi companies to operate at BIA appeared first on Newswire.

PickMe has reduced their monthly fee by Rs. 200/- for customers using their PickMe Pass service in lieu with their one year celebration of the launch of PickMe Pass. Customers can now avail themselves of PickMe Pass for Rs. 499/- per month and be eligible for a wide range of services offered by the Sri Lankan app-based ride hailing company.

“In the past year we saw a 35% increase in the PickMe Food category and to share our continued success with our customers, we decided to further reduce the fee. PickMe has enabled customers to save more than Rs. 150 million in the form of delivery and promotions and we want to help them save more through our membership programme,” says Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe.

The PickMe Pass membership programme, launched at the height of the economic crisis, celebrates one year this month.  The CEO says the programme has not only benefited PickMe customers but has also helped PickMe merchants connected to their app to revive their businesses which in turn have a positive impact in improving the country’s economy. 

The post 150 million worth of savings for PickMe Pass customers appeared first on Newswire.

App-based local taxi service, PickMe Sri Lanka, has been granted permission to operate at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The move allows PickMe to operate similarly to other taxis found at the entrance of the arrival terminal at the Katunayake airport.

As an initial measure, authorities have marked a parking slot designated for PickMe taxis to park and wait until the arrival of the relevant passenger.

PickMe Sri Lanka states that this has been possible due to the high demand of travellers who wish to travel for affordable rates in Sri Lanka.

(NewsWire)

The post PickMe granted designated parking slot at BIA for affordable travel appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lankan app-based taxi service, PickMe Sri Lanka has expressed hope that the Police will take necessary action against local three-wheeler drivers harassing other app-based taxi drivers. 

Issuing a statement, PickMe Sri Lanka said action is needed to ensure the safety of their driver partners and bring about a permanent solution to the threat by local three-wheeler mafias in various areas.

“The right intervention is urgently needed to protect the rights of passengers and safeguard drivers,” it added.

The statement comes after a PickMe driver was recently harassed by local three-wheeler drivers for transporting foreign tourists in Galle. The incident had been recorded by two foreign tourist passengers and had been widely shared on various social media platforms.

Many local social media users condemned the incident, calling for the three-wheeler mafias to be severely dealt with, as it could be detrimental to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. 

Full statement by PickMe:

The recent verbal attack on a PickMe driver, by tuk drivers in Galle and the police investigation that followed, is encouraging and a step in the right direction. The three-wheeler service is, in fact, a public transport system that acts as a last-mile transport solution for passengers.

Given that these disruptive acts of threats and intimidation by one section of drivers can, apart from tarnishing the tourism industry, seriously damage the reputation of a well-run second-tier public transport system of this country. 

App-based taxi-hailing services have created a platform for fair pricing and stable market conditions. This was clearly visible in the said incident where even visitors to the country no longer wish to haggle with three-wheeler drivers on the road. It is the overseas visitors’ preference to go with the app-based taxi-hailing option that caused grief to the PickMe driver. 

What is even more disturbing is that tourists are recording and sharing these incidents on social media. What damage it will do to our tourism industry is anybody’s guess. 

While this incident is unfortunate, it showcases an ugly side to those operating this form of transport service. However, we firmly believe that this is done by a small section of the service providers who try to operate their services in a mafia-style, through threats and intimidation. 

In the past, we had had many reports from the PickMe network of such bullying, especially in Kandy, Ella, Galle, Unawatuna, and Negombo Hotel Road areas. Unfortunately, drivers on the PickMe network are reluctant to make a complaint to the police as they fear repercussions on the road by this mafia.

Now that the situation is being made public by overseas visitors, it is more serious and we fervently hope the police will take necessary action to ensure the safety of our driver partners and bring about a permanent solution to this matter. The right intervention is urgently needed to protect the rights of passengers and safeguard drivers. (NewsWire)

The post Taxi abuse : Ride App services hopeful of justice appeared first on Newswire.