Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (PickMe), Sri Lanka’s leading digital mobility platform, has formally reached out to the Inspector General of Police, expressing significant concern over the rising incidents of intimidation, obstruction, and unlawful interference directed at independent transport providers using ride-hailing applications in key tourist areas.
This communication follows a series of troubling events in Ella and other tourist-sensitive regions, where drivers using digital platforms have reportedly been subjected to physical assaults, property damage, and unlawful road obstructions. Several of these incidents have been captured on video and widely circulated online.
PickMe has warned that a commercial dispute has escalated into an issue 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,” stated Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe, emphasizing that every Sri Lankan citizen is constitutionally entitled to lawful employment and freedom of movement.
The company stressed that such incidents, visible to tourists, directly threaten Sri Lanka’s international reputation, particularly as the country works to rebuild its tourism sector. “These 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.
PickMe also highlighted that the creation of so-called “exclusive zones” leads to price manipulation, lack of transparency, and consumer exploitation, particularly impacting tourists and daily commuters who are denied fair choice and transparent pricing. Such practices distort fair market competition, harming consumers and the broader public.
“As the Government advances its National Digitisation Strategy 2025, including initiatives like GovPay for police services, digital platforms are becoming part of Sri Lanka’s economic infrastructure,” noted the CEO of PickMe. “Organized intimidation threatens the livelihoods of over 100,000 Sri Lankan families who rely on digital mobility ecosystems for income.”
PickMe expressed additional concerns about reports of uneven law enforcement at the 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 law enforcement across all provinces, especially in tourist hotspots.
In its communication to the Inspector General of Police, PickMe made several formal requests. It asked for written 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 advocated for a zero-tolerance approach to organized, unlawful intimidation and “mafia-style” tactics targeting individuals who use digital platforms. Additionally, 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 to unite 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 underscored 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 stated.
The company has requested a meeting with the Inspector General of Police to discuss immediate measures and long-term solutions to ensure safety for citizens, drivers, and visitors alike.
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