By Roy Denish.
A British traveller has warned of alleged fare scams near Katunayake Airport, where passengers may be charged thousands for a short ride.
The 2:00 a.m. chill of the Katunayake Airport junction — locally known as the “18th Mile Post” or “Thaatte Kanuwa” — did little to calm the nerves of travellers arriving by public bus.
This alarming experience was brought to the attention of The Morning Telegraph by a reader returning to the UK after spending a holiday exploring Sri Lanka.
For many budget travellers and expatriates heading home or catching early-morning flights, the bus drop-off point at the junction represents the final leg of their journey.
But in the dead of night, travellers say a predatory trap may be waiting.
According to the account, groups of rogue three-wheeler drivers at the local stand allegedly target arriving passengers, with Tamil-speaking travellers said to be particularly vulnerable.
The moment a passenger steps off the bus and speaks Tamil, or even broken Sinhala, drivers may approach them immediately.
Sensing unfamiliarity and urgency, some allegedly demand highly inflated fares.
While a legitimate ride booked through apps such as PickMe or Uber from the junction to the airport may cost around Rs. 300 to Rs. 400, depending on the time of day, some travellers have allegedly been quoted thousands of rupees.
In one incident highlighted by the reader, a traveller was reportedly charged Rs. 5,000 for the short journey.
How to stay safe:
Book digitally: As soon as you step off the bus, use your smartphone to book a ride through a trusted app such as PickMe or Uber.
Get help in advance: If you are unfamiliar with ride-hailing apps, arrange for a friend or family member to book the ride for you before you begin your journey.
Stay vigilant: Avoid engaging with unsolicited drivers who approach you immediately after you leave public transport.
This warning is shared to protect travellers and raise community awareness about the risks of inflated fares and opportunistic scams near one of the main access points to Bandaranaike International Airport.
