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New-look three wheeler service mooted

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The Western Provincial Council (WPC) Transport Ministry will establish a separate authority to oversee the nearly 100,000 three wheelers in the Western Province to provide a more efficient service to the public.

Western Province Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna told a news conference yesterday that the Ministry has drafted a "Road Passenger Transport Three Wheeler Service Ordinance" to establish this proposed authority.

The ordinance will be debated at the Western Provincial Council meeting on December 3. All council members have extended their support to implement this ordinance, he said.

Following a request made by Western Provincial Councillor Renuka Perera to the council, an initiative was taken to draft the ordinance to address difficulties faced by three wheeler drivers who play a vital role in the transport sector, he said.

Representatives of the National Association of Three Wheeler Drivers of Sri Lanka who also attended the press conference extended their fullest support for this proposed authority.

The Minister said the Provincial Council cannot shirk its responsibility by only handling the private bus service. The Provincial Council should take the responsibility of all chargeable goods and services made in the province by charging money. The key objective of this ordinance is to formalise the three wheeler service through a special gazette notification by using the powers vested in the WPC by the 13th Amendment. He said: "No action has been taken by any state institution during the past 24 years to formalise the three wheel service. Three wheelers are operating without the supervision of any state institution. This new statute will look into the problems faced by three wheeler owners and drivers and provide solutions to their problems." "Some misconceptions about three wheeler drivers should be changed in order to provide a better service to the public.

Only a few are engaged in illegal activities- 95 per cent of three wheeler drivers in the province provide a decent service." Alagiyawanna said nearly 60 per cent of the three wheeler drivers do not have driving licences. Three centres will be set up in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts to issue licences. Training and a special uniform will be provided to the drivers.

The Minister said registration under this proposed authority will not be compulsory for three wheeler owners. Those who obtain membership will be issued a special number. The Ministry will provide a special guarantee to those who travel in three wheelers registered at this authority.

He said the three wheeler service ordinance will be implemented in collaboration with all local Government institutions in the province. The Ministry will also discuss with local government institutions to reserve parking spaces for three wheelers.

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