There's no one to look into appropriate three-wheeler fares for the increased oil prices.

Although the government has taken steps to increase fuel prices, the National Joint Three-Wheeler Drivers' and Industrialists' Association states that they are facing severe difficulties due to the lack of a proper authority responsible for systematically revising and regulating three-wheeler fares. The Secretary of the Association, L.

Rohana Perera points out that due to the current situation, those across the island who depend on three-wheelers for their livelihood are under severe pressure.

The majority of three-wheelers engaged in passenger transport with meters operate primarily in the Western Province, and previously, committees related to fare control were handled by the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority. However, the Secretary states that when questioned about new fare criteria following the recent fuel price hike, the Chairman of that authority declared that the power for this matter has been vested in the National Transport Commission.

The association also alleges that due to this nature of responsibility evasion between the two institutions, the National Transport Commission has not yet taken any firm decision regarding three-wheeler fares to cover all nine provinces of the island. Furthermore, drivers having to repeatedly pay Rs. 200 to relevant private companies to recalibrate the existing fare meter in three-wheelers every time fuel prices change has become an additional burden.

According to the current system, passengers are charged Rs. 110 for the first kilometer of meter-fitted three-wheeler services, and Rs. 90 for each subsequent kilometer. Mr. Rohana Perera also states that no government institution or responsible party has yet come forward to investigate the fairness or standard of this fare system.

Stating that no profit can be earned by operating three-wheelers under these old fares given the current fuel prices, he emphasizes that in addition to fuel costs, the prices of spare parts required for three-wheelers are also at an extremely high level. Those involved in the three-wheeler sector further allege that even the Consumer Affairs Authority has not conducted any investigation or intervention regarding these unfair price increases in the market.