Abstract:
The arrival of the first three-wheelers in Srilanka was not 3decades ago, as many people think, but in the 19th century. Gradually radio taxis were introduced for Colombo residents, alongside auto-rickshaw three-wheelers imported from India. Presently three-wheelers are popular in rural villages; highly in the hill country. The fact that we called a TUK-TUK today is known in India as an auto rickshaw is a clue to its descent in design and convenience from the hand-pulled rickshaws of the late 19th century. Rickshaws were popular with early 20th century visitors for sightseeing. The rickshaw gave its name to the auto rickshaw (which is commonly known as TUK-TUK or three wheeler in SL). The recently introduced new model 4-stroke auto-rickshaw with three wheels has actually descended from the popular two wheel Italian-made scooter, the Vespa. In 1926, Jamaal Bajaj, an adopted son of Mahatma Gandhi, founded the Bajaj Auto Company in India. In 1956 a cab was added to the design and the three-wheeler became known as the Piaggio Ape. Three wheeler transport mode is very popular in cities. Some people add the various sayings behind the three-wheeler. Three wheeler transport mode has a culture. Some three-wheelers are used to promote tourism. Today the three-wheeler taxi or ‘TUK -TUK’ is the transport of Sri Lankans or tourists who want to get somewhere in a hurry.
