Trishaw - the best way to see Sri Lanka
- OFFICIAL NAME : Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- CAPITAL : Colombo
- POPULATION : 21.6 million
- CURRENCY : Sri Lanka rupee
- OFFICIAL LANGUAGES : Sinhala, Tamil and English
Separated from India by
the Palk Strait, Sri Lanka comprises one large island and several coral
islets to the northwest known as Adam's Bridge. The main island is
dominated by rugged central uplands. The fertile plains to the north are
criss-crossed by rivers and bordered to the southeast by the Mahaweli
River. Sri Lankan affairs are dominated by the conflict between the
government and the Tamils, who are fighting for an independent state.
This pear-shaped island nation, known as Ceylon until 1972, is 438 kilometers long and 225 kilometers wide at its broadest point.
Largely flat and rolling, the terrain
is distinguished by a cluster of mountain peaks, the highest of
which is the 2,524-meter- high Pidurutalagala in
the south-central portion of the country. Numerous rivers
originate in the mountains and flow in all directions toward the
sea.
Sri Lanka's climate is tropical, with high humidity and
year-round temperatures averaging 27 to 28 C. Two
monsoon seasons occur each year. The southwest monsoon from May
to October and the northeast monsoon from December to March bring
adequate amounts of rainfall. The north averages about 100 centimeters of rain annually,.
Logging, along with slash-and-burn methods of farming, has
resulted in rapid deforestation. Wildlife preserves, covering 10
percent of the island's land area, have been created to protect
timber growing in the forest and jungle areas.
Travel by Trishaw in Sri Lanka
Travelling in Sri Lanka by trishaw is common with adventure
travellers.
Tourists from different parts of the world who
have never been to Sri Lanka before find the trishaw to be a really
enjoyable mode of travelling around the country.
They travel to different parts of the island, braving
many untold discoveries.
The trishaw offers one of the most common means of travelling around Sri Lanka
They bear a resemblance to taxis even though they are quite
cheaper.
Trisha drivers tend to overcharge foreigners; therefore it is important
to make sure that you know the right fares for particular places. Make
sure that you also bargain properly and plan to part with around 60
rupees for a short journey. In case they have a meter with them, make
sure that they make use of it.
Travelling by trishaw in Sri Lanka can be a great adventure.
Even when
you need to move around the city you can travel by trishaws as they have
bold drivers who manoeuvre their way out of the jam and reach your
destination in a matter of moments.
Trishaw transport is popular in Sri Lanka because they are small, quick
and cheap. The auto is typically cheap and can be operated by a number
of people. So, it provides you with the best option especially when you
need to hurry. Because it can move to any place in Sri Lanka, it is a
handy method of travelling around the country.
You will get to the services of a trishaw by standing by the road and
waving once you see one passing. Alternatively, you can simply find a
number of trishaws at a junction waiting for travellers like you. Always
make sure that you are positive as regards it driver.
Tuk tuk Sri Lanka
Traveling on a 'tuk tuk' or a trishaw, as the popular taxis are known in Sri Lanka, is an adventure even on city
roads as their daring drivers weave in and out of traffic and squeezes
through large trucks and buses with inches to spare. But these
adventurers have to drive their own tuk-tuks.
Tuk tuk prices
2-3 years ago 'fair' price was Rs 20/km, now it is at Rs 40/km due to higher petrol cost, cost of living and import
prices; no explanation at all for the increase in asking price from Rs
30 to Rs 50 per km!
So other factors are at play. Cartel behaviour of the drivers, for
sure. Upcoming major greed yes. Maybe more drivers jumping into the game
despite an absurd cost base (financing intrest starts at 15%/YEAR).
|
| Booking fee:
|
NA
|
| Minimum fare:
|
LKR Rs60 for first 0Km
|
|
Fare above minimum fare:
|
LKR Rs40 per Km
|
|
|
|
| Waiting charges per hour:
|
NA
|
| Luggage charges:
|
Luggage that can fit into Taxi storage is not charged
|
|
| Night Booking fee:
|
NA
|
| Night Timmings:
|
-
|
| Traffic, Roads, etc. variance:
|
Expect 5% (Moderate traffic) - 10% (Heavy Traffic) increase, as the practical on-road fare. |
Younger trishaw drivers are the most dangerous
Most
three-wheeler accidents involve younger drivers in an unregulated
industry filled with inept and unruly drivers and an unacceptably high
death toll, officials said.
Sri Lankan style parking
