Government dismisses proposal to raise three-wheeler driver age limit to 40

A senior government minister has firmly rejected suggestions to raise the minimum age for three-wheeler drivers to 40 years, stating that no such policy decision has been taken. The clarification addresses speculation about potential changes to licensing requirements for the popular transport category that serves millions of commuters across the island.

Three-wheelers remain one of the most widely used forms of public transport in Sri Lanka, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. The vehicles generate significant employment and serve as a crucial link in the country's transport network.

The minister's statement suggests that the government is not pursuing age-based restrictions that would effectively exclude younger drivers from operating three-wheelers. Such a move would have had substantial implications for the sector's workforce and the livelihoods of thousands of operators across the country.

The government's position indicates that any future regulatory changes to the three-wheeler sector will likely take different forms, though no alternative proposals have been formally announced at this stage.