Taxi drivers using ride-hailing apps have lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) today (29) against the injustices they face.

The complaint was based on a recent incident in Ella, where one of the drivers was allegedly threatened by three wheeler drivers operating in the area.

Although the three-wheeler industry has created employment opportunities for thousands of people across the country, in recent weeks a number of incidents have been reported among taxi drivers.

Numerous incidents were reported in which some three-wheeler drivers allegedly carried out illegal acts such as threatening, intimidating and assaulting drivers operating app-based taxi services.

There have been many instances where even foreign tourists visiting the country were inconvenienced by such actions.

At present, three-wheeler drivers in several parts of the island are protesting against app-based passenger transport services. They claim that the lower fares charged by these services threaten their livelihoods. Accordingly, they have staged protests in various areas in the country including Ella, Weligama and Sigiriya.

Against this backdrop, a group of drivers engaged in app-based passenger transport services lodged a complaint with the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission today.