An initial discussion was held yesterday between Transport and Highways Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena and UNDP representatives on the possibilities of introducing electric three-wheelers and buses in Sri Lanka to restrict fuel imports and minimise air pollution.

There are more than 1 million three-wheelers in Sri Lanka and converting them to running on electricity will decrease the fuel bill and passengers can travel at an affordable price.

It has been planned to convert 300 three-wheelers to electric power within this year under the E-Mobility programme implemented as a pilot project of the UNDP and prepare a proper methodology for that.

The UNDP has allocated US$ three million for this project. Meanwhile, attention was also paid to starting an electric bus service in Colombo city.

The Minister told the gathering that the Cabinet Paper has already been submitted vesting the power to the NTC to handle all the institutions related to passenger transport. Accordingly, the NTC will be vested with powers to amend the Act, determine the fees and impose fines. In future, the activities related to the registration of three-wheelers that will be converted to electric power will also be started.