Sri Lanka’s fragile tourism revival is facing an uncomfortable reality in several high-profile destinations: an emerging pattern of alleged intimidation and violence linked to informal transport groups, and a policing response critics say has been uneven at best.
Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (PickMe) has formally alerted the Inspector General of Police to what it describes as escalating harassment of independent drivers operating through digital platforms, particularly in tourist hubs such as Ella. According to the company, multiple incidents some recorded on video and circulated online show drivers being verbally threatened, physically assaulted, and unlawfully blocked from accessing public roads.
While the dispute is often portrayed as a competition between traditional taxi operators and app-based services, PickMe argues the issue has now moved beyond commercial rivalry into a broader public order concern. “No individual or informal group has the authority to declare exclusive control over public roads or national tourist sites,” CEO Jiffry Zulfer stated, pointing to constitutional guarantees of lawful employment and freedom of movement.
Tourism stakeholders warn that the visibility of such confrontations is particularly damaging. Visitors arriving in search of tranquility are instead witnessing public disputes, roadblocks, and allegations of coercion. Industry analysts note that reputational damage spreads faster than official assurances, especially when incidents circulate widely on social media platforms viewed by potential travelers.
Beyond safety concerns, PickMe claims the enforcement of so-called “exclusive zones” enables price fixing and limits consumer choice. Tourists and locals alike may be compelled to accept inflated fares without transparency, undermining market competition and eroding trust. Economists point out that such practices, if left unchecked, distort local economies and penalize both consumers and compliant service providers.
Perhaps most concerning are allegations regarding local-level law enforcement. PickMe says some drivers have reported being advised to withdraw from contested areas rather than receiving protection. While police authorities have not publicly responded to these specific claims, legal experts emphasize that selective enforcement—or the perception of it can be as damaging as inaction.
The company notes that more than 100,000 Sri Lankan families depend on digital mobility platforms for income, making the issue a national livelihood concern rather than a niche industry dispute. As the government advances its National Digitisation Strategy 2025, platforms like PickMe are increasingly part of essential economic infrastructure.In its letter to the IGP, the company has requested written directives to police stations reaffirming the right of lawful transport providers to operate freely, alongside a zero-tolerance approach to organized intimidation. Whether authorities respond decisively may signal how seriously Sri Lanka intends to protect rule of law in its most visible tourist destinations
