Court of Appeal Restores Tourist Tuk-Tuk Licensing Framework 📈

The Court of Appeal has intervened to preserve the legal framework allowing foreign tourists to drive three-wheelers in Sri Lanka using International Driving Permits (IDP). • Legal Status: The court granted Interim Orders (C.A. Writ 1154/25) reversing a November 2025 directive that suggested tourists could no longer drive tuk-tuks. The ruling restores the status quo ante, upholding Sri Lanka’s obligations under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. • Regulatory Framework: Foreign visitors with a valid IDP may lawfully drive upon obtaining a local covering permit from the Department of Motor Traffic or the Automobile Association of Ceylon. This is a statutory requirement, not an administrative concession. • Economic Impact: The court noted that a sudden change in policy would adversely affect tourism business operations and the livelihoods of hundreds of Sri Lankan families dependent on the leisure and transport sector. • Sector Focus: The decision protects the tourism industry’s diversification, specifically the niche self-drive tuk-tuk market which has become a popular attraction for international travelers. _Status: Based on Court of Appeal Interim Orders; final legal determination pending._