Colombo, Sept 11 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka’s Transport Ministry, on Monday said it would introduce new regulations for three wheel drivers for the safety and security of passengers.
Three wheeler’s are a popular mode of public transportation in the island country, used largely by locals and tourists.
However, in recent months many tourists have taken to social media complaining of being harassed, abused and cheated to pay higher fares by three wheel drivers.
The new regulations, which will come into effect from October 1, will require the registration number, name, driving license number of the driver, a photograph of the driver and telephone numbers of the respective police stations where the vehicle is registered, to be displayed behind the driver’s seat.
This is required to avoid any emergency situation, the Transport Ministry said.
The new regulations will also require the driver to fix an electronic meter which will indicate the fare amount and issue a receipt to the passenger at the end of the trip.
The US embassy in Sri Lanka, in June, asked its female citizens visiting Sri Lanka to avoid travelling in three-wheel taxis because drivers were likely to make sexual advances through inappropriate touching.
In a security warning posted on its website, the Embassy advised women to avoid travelling in three wheelers and especially to keep away from using the cheap mode of transport at night.
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