New premium ride option expands Uber’s mobility portfolio, from affordable Moto and Tuk rides to elevated travel experiences
Uber has announced the launch of Uber Black in Sri Lanka, introducing its premium ride experience to the local market for the first time. Positioned as the “business class of back seats,” Uber Black combines premium vehicles with highly rated drivers, offering riders greater comfort, quality and a more refined travel experience.
The launch comes amid growing consumer interest in premium products and services across Sri Lanka, with travellers increasingly seeking greater choice and enhanced experiences in their everyday lives. Uber Black extends this trend to on-demand mobility, catering to a variety of occasions, from airport transfers and important business meetings to special events and everyday journeys when additional comfort is desired.
With Uber Black joining its existing services, Uber now offers a broader range of mobility options in Sri Lanka. From affordable everyday travel through Uber Moto and Uber Tuk to car rides and premium journeys with Uber Black, riders can select an option that best matches their needs, preferences and budget, all within the same Uber app.
Uber Black will offer a curated selection of premium compact SUVs and SUVs, supported by a carefully selected pool of highly rated drivers. The service also allows riders to personalise their journey before it begins, with options to set their preferred in-car temperature, request assistance with luggage or choose a quiet ride without conversation.
Commenting on the launch, Kaushalya Gunaratne, Country Manager – Mobility, Uber Sri Lanka, said:
“For more than a decade, our focus in Sri Lanka has been on making reliable mobility available to more people, across more price points. As the market evolves, our next chapter is also about giving riders more differentiated experiences for different moments in their lives. With options spanning affordable two- and three-wheelers to cars and now a premium offering with Uber Black, we can better serve the diverse mobility needs of locals and tourists alike, while supporting the country’s growing tourism economy. Uber Black is an important step in that journey and reflects our ambition to keep raising the bar for on-demand mobility in Sri Lanka.”
The introduction of Uber Black represents a further expansion of Uber’s presence in Sri Lanka, broadening the choices available to riders while bringing a premium travel experience to the country’s evolving on-demand mobility market.
SLFFA Appoints New Leadership at 45th AGM, Targets Colombo’s Growth as a Regional Air Cargo Hub
The Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders’ Association (SLFFA) has elected its new office bearers for the 2026/2027 term at its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. The event was attended by Hon. Anura Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, as Chief Guest, and Mr. W.W.S. Mangala, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, as Guest of Honour.
Mr. Andre Fernando, Managing Director of MAC Supply Chain Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, was elected Chairman of SLFFA for the 2026/2027 term. The new leadership team also includes Mr. Shavindra Dias, Managing Director of Foreway Logistics, as Vice Chairman, and Mr. Priyan Seilman, Director of Scanwell Logistics Colombo, as Treasurer.
The newly appointed Executive Committee comprises representatives from leading logistics and freight forwarding companies, including Aitken Spence Cargo (Pvt) Ltd, David Pieris Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, Expolanka Freight (Pvt) Ltd, Famous Pacific Shipping Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Freight Links International (Pte) Ltd, GAC Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, Salota International (Pvt) Ltd, Shermans Logistics (Pvt) Ltd and Speedmark Transportation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration across the industry and advancing Sri Lanka’s logistics and freight forwarding sector.
At the AGM, SLFFA outlined its strategic vision to “Fast Track Colombo to be the Next Cargo Hub,” positioning the city as a fully integrated regional logistics centre rather than relying primarily on traditional transshipment activities. A key element of this strategy is the proposed development of Sea-Air multimodal bonded corridors, enabling connections within 24 to 48 hours and enhancing Colombo’s competitiveness against established international cargo hubs.
To accommodate growing trade volumes and support this ambition, the Association highlighted the importance of infrastructure development at Bandaranaike International Airport and the East and West Container Terminals at the Port of Colombo. SLFFA Cargo Services has also submitted a proposal to invest in less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo operations and multi-country consolidation facilities under a private-sector investment initiative led by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
During the past year, SLFFA recorded progress in trade digitalisation, professional development and financial governance. In collaboration with Sri Lanka Customs, the Association introduced ASYHUB to facilitate faster processing and improved information sharing. It also implemented digital Delivery Order validations through the NAVIS system, trained more than 650 industry professionals and submitted a Digital Transformation Report to government policymakers advocating the adoption of electronic bills of lading.
Protecting the interests of its members remained another priority. SLFFA successfully defended member interests in relation to the Cargo Account Settlement System (CASS) and established a centralised SLFFA Debtor Database to encourage more disciplined credit management across its membership of more than 180 companies.
The Association also emphasised the importance of developing industry talent through its dedicated training division, the Academy of International Trade and Transport (AITT). By investing in professional education and skills development, SLFFA aims to equip the workforce with the expertise required to meet the evolving demands of international trade and logistics.
Beyond its industry-focused initiatives, SLFFA continued its social responsibility activities, supporting paediatric operating facilities at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, assisting the Arthur Perera Elders’ Home and contributing Rs. 3.2 million to the Rebuild Sri Lanka initiative.
Uber Introduces Uber Black in Sri Lanka, Bringing Premium Comfort to Every Ride
