The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, at the Adjournment today, I move the following:

¶ 02 “As a principal component of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, transporting tourists from the airport to destinations by road can be considered significant. About 72 companies operate in Sri Lanka, of which 53 are registered with the Ministry of Tourism.

¶ 03 Foreign nationals visiting Sri Lanka who wish to drive vehicles in the country have, until now, been able to obtain a permit by paying Rs. 2,000 at Werahera. Changing that procedure, a new system has been introduced to obtain the permit at Bandaranaike International Airport by paying Rs. 15,000. However, the Gazette notification has not yet received approval. Meanwhile, foreign nationals, including those driving three-wheelers, operate vehicles while violating traffic laws.

¶ 04 Sri Lanka Police implements a more lenient policy for foreign tourists than for local citizens and informally facilitates this practice.

¶ 05 As a result, road accidents have rapidly increased, adversely affecting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. This is also highly detrimental to registered Sri Lankan tour companies.

¶ 06 Therefore, due to the above reasons, I propose to this Hon. House that the issuance of licences to foreign tourists for three-wheelers and heavy vehicles be stopped.”

¶ 07 Hon. Presiding Member, because of the driver’s licence now issued at our airport to foreign nationals visiting Sri Lanka, local drivers engaged in the tourism industry face several problems. As I understand, only about 2,900 licences were issued annually at Werahera in the past. But now, by paying Rs. 2,000, more than 3,000 licences per month are being obtained, and tourists have started driving vehicles including three-wheelers. This has created a big problem for our tourism trade and for our drivers. In Ella, for example, a Dutch national has started an enterprise called “Rent a Tuktuk.” When our people go there, they are told to bring their three-wheelers and register them with that company.

¶ 08 Section 132B of the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Act, No. 8 of 2009, states:

¶ 09 “132B. Any person who is the holder of a valid International Driving Permit issued by one of the Contracting States to the Geneva Convention of 8th November 1948, or by a State that has acceded to that Convention, and who is a bona fide visitor to Sri Lanka, shall be deemed to be the holder of a driving licence issued under this Act for the purpose of driving the class or classes of motor vehicles specified in such permit.”

¶ 10 There have been instances where some foreign nationals, while driving, have met with accidents. I have here photographs showing accidents involving three-wheelers driven by such persons. Therefore, Hon. Minister, if a circular is issued to charge Rs. 15,000 for this licence and foreigners are required to pay Rs. 15,000 to obtain it, it will bring some relief to the Government and to the country; and it will also reduce the number of such licences sought. Due to the current procedure, there is a serious problem within the tourism industry. Therefore, I request the Hon. Minister: if possible, revert to issuing licences at Werahera as before—that is better. Otherwise, foreigners are now driving vehicles as they please. Foreigners driving three-wheelers everywhere has become a big problem for our country’s drivers because it reduces employment opportunities for locals. I also wish to ask: if suddenly someone is run over and a local is killed, that foreign driver will leave the country. Can we then bring him back for trial? These are real problems faced by those engaged in the tourism industry.

¶ 11 During Covid, our people were idle and starving; there was no work. Foreigners left the country during the pandemic. After Covid ended, they returned and have started many international businesses. Now, through the “Rent a Tuktuk” enterprise, a lot of money is going to the Netherlands. In my view, instead of benefiting our country, this gives opportunities to those industries while depriving our people engaged in them. This matter is being discussed everywhere. That is why I have brought this Adjournment Motion. Your earlier decision may not be entirely wrong; some things can be corrected. But after discussing and reviewing the issue, if we can at least charge Rs. 15,000 for the licence, then do so. Otherwise, amend the system to benefit our three-wheeler operators and village drivers. That is what I submit to this House at the Adjournment today. Thank you.