15 Litres Not Enough – National Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union

17-Mar-2026

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The National Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union has stated that a weekly allocation of 15 litres of fuel is insufficient for hired three-wheeler services and demanded that at least 35 litres be provided.

Union President Jesmil Lanka made this statement at a media briefing held at the union office in Colombo on 15 March.

He said that drivers are well aware of the difficulties in fuel imports caused by the war situation in the Middle East. He added that the introduction of the quota system to manage fuel distribution is a welcome step.

According to him, most of those seen in queues at filling stations in the past two weeks were individuals engaged in reselling fuel at higher prices.

He stressed that three-wheeler drivers do not obtain excess fuel to hoard or sell on the black market.

Under the new quota system, three-wheelers are allocated 15 litres per week, which the union said is unacceptable.

He noted that most drivers involved in hired three-wheeler services belong to middle-income groups and depend entirely on daily earnings.

The union requested a weekly allocation of 35 litres, based on a daily requirement of five litres.

He added that drivers do not wish to place additional pressure on the government during the current crisis but urged authorities to ensure that middle-income groups are not pushed into hardship.

If the issue is not addressed, he warned that the union would initiate protest action in front of the Presidential Secretariat.