Three-wheeler operators expected Saradiel-style rule from Government

Colombo, June 3 (Daily Mirror) - National Taxi App Three-Wheelers’ Professional Collective President Jasmine Lanka says many in the industry had expected the current government and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to follow the example of the legendary folk hero Utuwankande Sura Saradiel after coming to power.

“We thought the President would take from those who have and give to those who do not. What has happened now is that those who have little have been reduced to nothing,” he said.

He claimed the government is “slowly destroying” the three-wheeler industry while continuing regular fuel price increases, adding that authorities had failed to consider the difficulties faced by drivers when revising fuel prices.

Lanka also criticised the QR-based fuel distribution system, saying three-wheeler operators are currently limited to 20 litres of petrol per week.

“As taxi app three-wheeler operators, we need at least 50 litres of fuel per week. It is difficult to understand how we are expected to survive when petrol costs Rs. 434 per litre. Around one million people depend on the three-wheeler industry for their livelihood,” he said.