- New app-based regulatory system on the way
The National Transport Commission (NTC) plans to make it mandatory for all three-wheelers to operate under an app-based system.
The move is aimed at standardising services across the island, ensuring transparent fares, improving passenger safety, and strengthening monitoring and accountability within the three-wheeler transport industry.
As of February, the primary three-wheeler hailing brands operating in Sri Lanka are PickMe, Uber, and HelaGo. The urgent need for such regulation was compelled by a series of protests and confrontations initiated by traditional three-wheeler groups, which began in the tourist hub of Ella and expanded across several regions.
“Our future roadmap involves a transition where all three-wheeler operations must be managed through digital applications. With the rise in competition, many private companies are already offering these platforms. Since three-wheelers now fall under the taxi category, they must operate within the app-based system and strictly abide by the rules and standards established by the NTC,” NTC Director General Commander (Retd) Dr. Nilan Miranda said.
The initiative follows the enactment of the NTC (Amendment) Act No.8 of 2025, which granted the commission the legal authority to regulate ‘paratransport’ services, including three-wheelers, school vans, and office transport. Previously, the NTC’s powers under the 1991 act were limited primarily to the regulation of omnibuses.
Dr. Miranda confirmed that the commission was currently in the final stages of publishing four new regulations that would institutionalise these changes.
“Historically, three-wheelers have occupied an unregulated space, as no specific authority held the mandate to oversee them until the recent legislative amendments. Under our new authority, we intend to bring this sector under formal regulation. This includes the promulgation of standardised fare structures and the enforcement of specific vehicle conditions and technical specifications,” he noted.
A key challenge remains the integration of traditional, independent operators into this digital ecosystem. While private ride-hailing applications currently dominate urban areas like Colombo, the NTC is coordinating with the Ministry of Digital Economy to explore broader digitalisation goals, which could include a State-supported framework or a unified digital gateway for all operators.
“Matters concerning national digital policy fall under the purview of the Ministry of Digital Economy. While I cannot confirm the specific timelines at this stage, digital integration remains a priority for the future of the sector,” Dr. Miranda said.
To facilitate this transition, the NTC has already launched a national data collection initiative. This registration drive will serve as the foundation for issuing operational stickers and enforcing new standards, effectively bringing over one million three-wheelers into a formal, monitored transport network.