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David Pieris Motors takes lead in launching eco-friendly electric three-wheeler taxi service

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DPMC is considering a fast-growing fleet of electric tuk-tuk depending on passenger response.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Being proactive to make an impact on Environmental and Social Goals (ESG) and strategising for consolidating its market leadership in the rapidly changing mobility landscape, David Pieris Motor Company Pvt Ltd (DPMC) yesterday launched E-drive, a model electric three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) taxi service for passenger transportation.

Kicking off with the deployment of 20 Bajaj three-wheelers as part of the emission-free pilot project, the company boasts electric conversion done here in Sri Lanka by DPMC, replacing the combustion engine entirely and installing a battery pack, an electric engine,  gear, wiring, and more.

“As the experts of Bajaj vehicles in Sri Lanka, we can confidently guarantee the electric conversion done by DPMC. We are all too aware that only the correct conversion can ensure safety and comfort for the passenger travelling in the vehicle,” said Jayantha Ratnayake, Executive Director, David Pieris Holdings Pvt. Ltd and David Pieris Automotive Cluster.

“These three-wheelers will initially operate in Colombo and its immediate suburbs. The vehicles can easily be identified due to their unique white and green branding and the service will be available from 7 am to 7 pm from Monday to Saturday. They can be hailed down on the road, booked via the YOGO taxi-hailing mobile app and through a dedicated hotline 077 7 606077,” he said.

“The drivers of the E-drive taxi service have been trained not only on how to drive this vehicle but have also received refresher training in road rules and road etiquette. In addition, all vehicles are monitored centrally by the company. The drivers will be wearing an E-Drive uniform, and their details will be displayed in the vehicle for customer’s information, along with a telephone number to call in the event of any issues,” he explained.

Responding to a query on taxi fares, he said,” “The fares are designed to be very affordable as these three-wheelers will charge a flat rate of Rs. 65 per kilometer with no added peak hour charges. The ability to pay easily with cash or credit/debit cards is a unique facility available in this service.”

DPMC is the first company to obtain approval for registering converted Bajaj three-wheelers. The company said it wanted not only to use this platform to allow the public to use a greener, cheaper means of transport but also to ensure passengers get a safer ride with disciplined, trained drivers. They further said that smooth rides available due to reduced vibration and the quietest three-wheeler engine on the road would set new standards for three-wheeler taxi service in Sri Lanka.

President, David Pieris Group, David Pieris speaking to The Island said,” Green mobility concept is a done deal anywhere in the world now, particularly given the environmental and social concerns of the mobility sector. If we see a positive response from passengers and other stakeholders, we will focus on a fast-growing fleet. Otherwise, we would take an appropriate decision weighing the pros and cons of the market reaction. It is always best to test the waters before you fully commit yourself to a project like this because of possible external challenges you would find in your way. I do hope regulatory barriers resulting from lobbying won’t be one of them.”



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PM strengthens vocational education and economic ties with Germany

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited Hamburg, Germany, focusing on strengthening vocational education and economic partnerships between the two nations. During her visit, she participated in the 102nd East Asia Friendship Dinner, met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and engaged in high-level discussions on investment, education, and economic reforms.

As a Guest of Honour at the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) annual gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya addressed an audience of business leaders and dignitaries, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its potential as a growing investment destination. She highlighted the contributions of over 160 German companies in Sri Lanka and invited further collaboration in trade and business.

In her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, the Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech at the ’German-Asian Forum on Vocational Education & Training.’ She acknowledged Germany’s decades-long support in Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector and stressed the importance of modernizing vocational training to align with industry demands. Additionally, she visited ITECH vocational school and German research hubs such as NXP Semiconductors and DESY, discussing collaboration in IT and technology-driven industries.

During her discussions with President Steinmeier, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to economic stability, social protection, and national unity. She also attended a business roundtable, where she engaged with German companies and government representatives on economic expansion, digitalization, and sustainable development initiatives.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Varuni Muthukumarana, and senior embassy officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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IGP under pressure to probe latest custodial death

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Nimesh

Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera on behalf of the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (Guarantee) Limited has asked Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya to inquire into the death of Sathsara Nimesh soon after he was admitted to the Mulleriyawa mental hospital by Welikada police on the night of April 1.

In a letter dated April 3 addressed to the IGP, the lawyer said that the victim’s mother Lekamwasam Liyanage Samanthi, who visited Welikada police station the following day, thad been old that her son made a bid to commit suicide at the police station. Quoting the victim’s mother the lawyer said that the clothes worn by Nimesh at the time he was taken into custody by Welikada police were found within the premises.

Responding to queries, the human rights activist said that Nimesh had been caught by a group of people at Nawala road, Welikada around 7.30 pm-8 pm on April 1. Alleging that Nimesh who had been undergoing training at a private hospital as a caregiver was acting suspiciously, the group called in the police on 119 emergency line and handed him over to the police, Perera said, urging the IGP to ensure that the police followed laid out procedures when dealing with suspects.

The Attorney-at-law said that the victim’s mother had visited Mulleriyawa hospital and was able to speak with a doctor who had been present at the time Nimesh was brought there. The doctor had told her that her son was barely alive at the time he was brought in. Perera alleged that Welikada police made an attempt to allude that Nimesh was mentally unsound. If the police had been genuinely concerned about Nimesh in case he was experiencing sudden difficulty, they should have rushed him to the National Hospital, Perera said.

Acknowledging the need to deal firmly with those who are on the wrong side of the law, the rights group said that the police couldn’t adopt Gestapo-style strategies.

The National People’s Power (NPP) government couldn’t turn a blind eye to what was going on regardless of the change of government in last Sept. There had been at least two recent deaths in police custody, Perera said, referring to an incident in the Kotahena police area in the third week of February this year.

Police shot dead two persons arrested over the killing of Shashi Kumar in a mobile phone shop at Kotahena. Police claimed that law enforcement men had to open fire when the suspects made an attempt to grab a weapon from an officer while being taken to a hideout to recover hidden guns.

Lawyer Perera said that police should be ashamed to repeat a blatant lie often used by them though they knew no one accepted that.

Political parties represented in parliament should take up this matter vigorously, he said, urging the government to put an end to custodial deaths, he said. The lawyer pointed out that the Supreme Court, too, has intervened in the matter and the issue was taken up at the highest level.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

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FSP calls proposed defence pact with India betrayal

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Duminda

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) says that if JVP’s pioneer leader Rohana Wijeweera had been alive today, he, too, would have joined the FSP in opposing the proposed defence agreement between Sri Lanka and India, calling it a serious betrayal of the nation’s interests.

Duminda Nagamuwa, Propaganda Secretary of the FSP, told the media that the JVP-led NPP government was reportedly planning to sign the agreement.Speaking to the media, Nagamuwa said there was lack of transparency surrounding the proposed accord, which had already drawn the attention of Indian experts.

“These experts have termed the agreement as the most significant between the two countries since the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord of 1987, Nagamuwa said.

“Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa recently revealed that a number of agreements involving defence, energy, health, and digitalisation are set to be signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Sri Lanka. Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath had previously stated that agreements would be signed covering six key areas, but details of these agreements have not been disclosed to the public,” Nagamuwa said.

“We call upon the people of this country to realise the dangers lurking in these agreements. If the government keeps the people in the dark about their contents, they will be illegitimate.”

He said those agreements had not been presented to Parliament for approval. That marked a troubling continuation of a trend where previous agreements have been signed without proper public discourse or parliamentary scrutiny, he said.

Nagamuwa said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the proposed accord had been signed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2023, and that the JVP/NPP was now proposing the same deal. “If Ranil Wickremesinghe had tried to sign this accord, the people would have taken to the streets in protest. But now, this government is pushing the same agreement forward,” he said.

Nagamuwa appealed to the public to closely observe the processes leading up to the signing of the accord. “We believe that this agreement will have serious implications for the country’s national security. If Comrade Wijeweera were alive today, he too would stand with us in opposing this government’s betrayal of our national interests,” he said.

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