Three-wheelers ‒ fondly known as tuk tuks, are a colourful, convenient and cheap mode of transport for both locals and foreigners in Sri Lanka. Often, we hear stories of foreigners being taken on a ride – and not the kind they bargained for – as reports of tuk tuk scams have increased in the recent past.
Similarly, when some guests staying at the Galle Face Hotel hailed a couple of tuk tuks and accidentally left their smart phone in one of the vehicles, they never expected what happened next. Mr. Tuan Rizneer and Mr. Chandanath Sivanathan frequently transport passengers in their colourful tuk tuks to various points within bustling Colombo. After their last pick up from the Galle Face Hotel, they realized that one of the passengers had left behind an expensive smart phone. The two altruistic tuk tuk drivers then drove back to the hotel in order to find the tourists and return the lost phone.
The Galle Face Hotel, an icon of Sri Lankan heritage, greatly values hospitality, magnanimity and authenticity, which both Mr. Rizneer and Mr. Sivanathan exemplify. Mr. Robert Hauck, General Manager and Area Vice President of The Galle Face Hotel invited Mr. Kavan Ratnayaka, Chairman – Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Mr. Upali Rathnayake, Director- Tourism Planning and Development and Mr. Maurice – Deputy Chairman of the Three-wheeler Association for the Galle Face Green area to the hotel in order to recognize the selfless tuk drivers for their act of kindness. The group shared their appreciation with Mr. Rizneer and Mr. Sivanathan for standing by their values when many others would have simply taken advantage of the situation. The Galle Face Hotel also offered tokens of appreciation to the Good Samaritan tuk tuk drivers in recognition of their efforts to uphold honesty and integrity.