Self-drive tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka are changing how travelers experience the country. My road trip from Ella to the Unesco city of Kandy turned out better than expected. Winding mountain roads stretched ahead, lined with palms and sparkling reservoirs that looked almost unreal. Purple-faced langurs stared as I passed, and elephants occasionally wandered into the street. Rather than rushing in a rental car, I chose to drive a tuk-tuk at a relaxed pace.
These three-wheeled vehicles have been part of daily life in Sri Lanka for nearly 50 years. The Indian company Bajaj Auto introduced motorized tuk-tuks in the late 1970s. By the 1990s, they were everywhere. Today, about one million tuk-tuks cruise along Sri Lanka’s roads, used as taxis, delivery vehicles, police units, and even mobile bakeries.
Tourists admired tuk-tuks for years but could only ride as passengers. That changed in 2016. A start-up called TukTuk Rental launched in Katunayake, offering self-drive tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka for the first time. Tourists could finally get behind the wheel, plan their routes, and stop at tea stalls or scenic spots whenever they liked. Most importantly, the company rents tuk-tuks from locals. This social enterprise has funneled over Rs300 million (US$1 million) into the hands of more than 1,000 Sri Lankan families.
The idea began with Australian civil engineer Thomas Cornish. After crashing his bicycle in India, a local lent him a tuk-tuk to complete his journey. Cornish enjoyed the ride so much that he wanted others to experience the same. He teamed up with Richard McKeon and Wietse Sennema. Together, they chose Sri Lanka for its tuk-tuk culture and welcoming tourism atmosphere.
Wietse, who grew up on the island, knew many people relied on tuk-tuks for extra income. Often, drivers worked other jobs by day and used the tuk-tuk in the evenings. The team knocked on doors and invited tuk-tuk owners to join the project. Families could now earn money while staying home.
One early adopter, Shalitha Sankalpa from Mount Lavinia, earned only Rs200 a day driving part-time. When he leased his tuk-tuk in 2017, his income doubled within weeks. His success inspired others. Shalitha eventually bought a car and built a house. One highlight? South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes used his tuk-tuk during a coastal trip.
Tourists get everything they need for the ride. TukTuk Rental provides driving lessons, third-party insurance, and even helps secure a temporary Sri Lankan driving permit. Booking is simple via the website. Optional add-ons include surf racks, cool boxes, Bluetooth speakers, and baby seats.
Although 2019 and 2020 brought serious challenges—including Easter bombings and pandemic travel restrictions—TukTuk Rental endured. Sri Lanka’s tourist numbers dropped sharply, but the company adapted. As travel slowly resumed, so did tuk-tuk bookings. The startup now works with 750 families.
One of them is Charith Rajindra. He used to work at a garment factory and as an airport baggage handler. During Covid, he lost both jobs. In 2022, he leased a tuk-tuk worth $4,500 to TukTuk Rental. Within two years, he paid off the lease and opened a homestay. In 2024, he bought another tuk-tuk. Tourists renting his vehicles allow him to earn sustainably and support his community.
Travelers value more than just the ride. For example, Diana Hiptmair, a content creator from Toronto, hired a self-drive tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka after seeing a post on Instagram. She and her husband traveled for 26 days in a convertible tuk-tuk from Negombo to Mirissa. Along the way, they visited small eateries and interacted with locals. In one memorable stop, a restaurant owner invited her husband into the kitchen to cook kottu roti.
Similarly, UK traveler Kate Dicks and her boyfriend used a tuk-tuk for a 10-day trip in January 2025. They explored national parks and remote highland areas where taxis were rare. Their most unforgettable moment? Watching a wild elephant walk across the road just meters away.
To maintain fairness, TukTuk Rental limits how many vehicles each owner can lease. This ensures many families benefit. Supplier manager Isuru Fernando explained, “We don’t want to support a company—we want to support individuals.”
When my journey ended and I returned the keys, I watched the tuk-tuk gently wobble back onto the road toward Ella. That little vehicle, quirky and dependable, stood for more than adventure. It represented a resilient Sri Lanka—welcoming, resourceful, and always moving forward.
