Cabinet green-lights revision of Motor Traffic Act to allow electric tuk-tuks

• Govt. to introduce new policies to regulate three-wheel industry
• Plans on bringing supervisory under the purview of National Transport Commission, without creating new institution
• Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena hopes to submit fresh Cabinet paper within a month
• Aims to give due recognition to those engaged in industry, provide fairness to commuters

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena

The Cabinet of Ministers this week cleared to amend the Motor Traffic Act, to include provisions and enable the registration of electric three-wheelers. 

The proposal to this effect submitted by Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday.

Several parties have requested an opportunity to utilise electric three-wheels, to encourage vehicles running with electric power to minimise the use of fossil fuels within Sri Lanka.

However, the Government said the Motor Traffic Act needs to be amended, as there are no required provisions available in the present Act.

Separately, the Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Gunawardena also said that the Government will formulate new policies to regulate the three-wheel industry through the Ministry but be included under the purview of the National Transport Commission (NTC).

“We have received many complaints from commuters on the irregularities practiced by the three-wheelers for years now. On Monday, I had a discussion with members of the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Association regarding the complaints too. The intention is to bring the supervision under NTC, without creating a new institute,” he explained.

Minister Gunawardena said officials were directed to formulate policies necessary to submit a Cabinet paper within a month. 

“We hope this will give due recognition to the people engaged in the sector, whilst providing fairness to the commuters as well,” he added.