PickMe Calls for Urgent Police Action to Protect Independent Drivers and Public Safety in Tourist Zones

Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (PickMe), Sri Lanka’s leading homegrown digital mobility platform, has formally written to the Inspector General of Police expressing grave concern over escalating incidents of intimidation, obstruction, and unlawful interference and violence directed at independent transport providers operating voluntarily through ride-hailing applications in key tourist locations.

The company’s letter follows a series of disturbing incidents in Ella and other tourist-sensitive areas, where independent drivers using digital platforms have reportedly faced physical assault, property damage, and unlawful obstruction of public roads. Several of these incidents were captured on video and circulated widely online.

PickMe warned that what began as a commercial dispute has now evolved into a matter of public order, commuter safety, consumer protection, and national interest. “No individual or informal group has the authority to declare exclusive zones on public roads or national tourist sites,” Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe stated, noting that every Sri Lankan citizen has a constitutional right to lawful employment and freedom of movement.

PickMe emphasised that the visibility of these incidents among tourists poses a direct risk to Sri Lanka’s international image at a time when the country is actively rebuilding its tourism sector. “Such incidents undermine Sri Lanka’s image as a safe, welcoming destination and can have lasting consequences for the tourism sector and the wider economy,” the CEO added.

The company further highlighted that the creation of so-called “exclusive zones” facilitates price manipulation, lack of transparency, and consumer exploitation, particularly affecting tourists and daily commuters who are denied fair choice and transparent pricing. Such practices distort fair market competition and operate to the detriment of consumers and the broader public.

“As the Government advances its National Digitisation Strategy 2025, including initiatives such as GovPay for police services, digital platforms have become part of Sri Lanka’s economic infrastructure,” noted the CEO of PickMe. “Organised intimidation threatens the livelihoods of over 100,000 Sri Lankan families who depend on digital mobility ecosystems for income.”

PickMe further expressed concern over reports of uneven law enforcement at local level, where some independent drivers were allegedly advised to withdraw rather than being protected. The company called for clear, top-down directives to ensure consistent and impartial enforcement of the law across all provinces, particularly in tourist hotspots.

In its communication to the Inspector General of Police, PickMe made several formal requests. It asked for written circular instructions to be issued to all police stations, particularly in tourist-sensitive areas, affirming the right of lawful transport providers to operate without intimidation or obstruction. PickMe also called for a zero-tolerance approach to organised, unlawful intimidation and “mafia-style” tactics targeting individuals who use digital platforms. In addition, it requested the establishment of an internal review mechanism, overseen by Police Headquarters, to monitor enforcement performance in tourist zones. Finally, PickMe proposed the creation of a Joint Stakeholder Coordination Forum that would bring together law enforcement and digital mobility platforms on a monthly basis to share evidence, assess risks, and develop a long-term safety framework.

While reiterating that PickMe is a technology platform and not the employer of independent drivers, the company emphasised its moral and corporate responsibility to safeguard Sri Lanka’s digital economy, and protect consumer choice and transparency.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement to ensure public safety, protect lawful livelihoods, prevent consumer exploitation, and preserve confidence in Sri Lanka’s transition toward a modern, digital economy,” PickMe said.

The company has requested a meeting with the Inspector General of Police to discuss immediate measures and longer-term solutions to ensure safety for citizens, drivers, and visitors alike.

Source : Ada Derana Biz