Criminal action against violence towards PickMe and Uber drivers

Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya stated that the general law of the country will be enforced for disputes between modern ride-hailing services, including "PickMe" and "Uber," and traditional three-wheeler operators.

These comments come after incidents of public disorder, including protests and clashes, were reported in various parts of the country following a dispute between a "PickMe" registered driver and a group of three-wheeler drivers in the Ella area in December 2025.

Accordingly, the Inspector General of Police took steps to summon representatives of three-wheeler owners' associations as well as officials from companies providing ride-hailing services, including "PickMe" and "Uber," to Police Headquarters for discussions.

Emphasizing that the primary responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police is to maintain public order, the Inspector General warned that the law would be strictly enforced for criminal acts such as violence, threats, or intimidation, regardless of corporate or trade union disputes.