Unions say the livelihoods of 850,000 professional three-wheeler drivers are under threat due to the prevailing fuel crisis.
Speaking to NewsRadio, President of the All-Ceylon Three-Wheeler Owners’ Association Sudil Jayaruk said as many as three million people will be affected if solutions are not provided to the fuel crisis, promptly.
Sudil Jayaruk noted that without adequate fuel, they cannot continue in the profession.
Yesterday, Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said they are contemplating introducing a system where three-wheeler drivers and motorcyclists will be able to obtain fuel on specific days of the week based on digits of the vehicle number plates.
Speaking to NewsRadio, Sudil Jayruk said such proposals should be implemented only after holding talks with those who are part of the industry at present.
He said they will extend their support to practical programmes.
Commenting on the programme proposed to provide five litres of fuel a day, Sudil Jayruk said three-wheeler drivers can be identified through Grama Niladhari officers and authorities can provide them fuel through the National Transport Commission or Sri Lanka Transport Board-owned depots.
He said authorities must make use of state bodies and implement a stringent programme at the earliest.
Sudil Jayaruk said waiting in fuel queues for two to three days to obtain Rs.2,000 of petrol to run just one session and return to queues for three more days will only result in people giving up on three-wheeler trade.
He said therefore the government must take a keen interest to resolve the fuel shortage and address the issues faced by three-wheeler drivers.
