Shake rattle and roll
My heart belongs to daddy
Seen on a three-wheeler in the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi car park in Anuradhapura
These simple, practical vehicles are ubiquitous in Sri Lanka, as they are in many other countries in the world. While tourists tend to refer to them as tuk-tuks, to the locals they are usually known as three-wheelers or simply three-wheels.
The basic design is the same wherever you go. Most commonly painted red, but sometimes green, blue or black, they all have a black awning to protect both driver and passengers. But there the similarities end. Every three-wheeler is unique, customised by its owner to reflect beliefs, opinions and enthusiasms. The quotes range from the philosophical (‘Think a little less, give a little more’) to the affectionate (‘My heart belongs to daddy’) to the downright odd (‘No girls only fun boys’) and mysterious (‘Sorry John’ – who was/is John?) Some made us smile (‘Lambogini (sic) Super Speed), while others were modest in their claims (‘I am not cute and I know it’).
Others have decorations reflecting the driver’s passions: Bob Marley and Che Guevera are popular heroes, as they are worldwide. And in Galle we spotted one belonging to a rather confused football fan. While the exterior proclaimed his love of Real Madrid, the seat inside featured photos of Juventus players.
We even saw one (featured above) adapted to serve as a bread delivery vehicle, playing a cheerful tune as it was driven around the streets of Galle by its enterprising owner.
I had great fun as we travelled around the country picking out some of the most amusing slogans and interesting decorations. I hope you enjoy them too!
If viewing on a computer you can click on the images to see them larger and find out where they were taken
I visited Sri Lanka in February 2026
50 Comments
Pepper
Sarah, this is an incredible gallery of fun! 😁
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m pleased you enjoyed it 😀
equinoxio21
Very creative. Like Nilla and you, I’ve ridden in a few hair-raising tuk-tuks. Bangkok and Siem Reap in particular. Nobody stops at roundpoints. )Or do you say roundabouts?)
Sarah Wilkie
We do say roundabouts 😀 I think our hairiest was possibly Phnom Penh, just because of the sheer amount of traffic, but I don’t remember that even that was too bad!
equinoxio21
I can imagine Phnom Penh. We didn’t make it there, which was a shame. I would have found it interesting to “go back” to a place I lived in for close to 2 years, though I was too small to remember.
Now that you mention that, no regrets, to have missed the traffic!
Sarah Wilkie
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cambodia again
equinoxio21
Duly noted.
equinoxio21
PS. On roundabouts, I was writing “roundpoints” which might be more American when the word “roundabout” came back to me. I find I am more confused every day between American and British English. Weird.
grandmisadventures
Now these are going in style 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Haha yes, style of a sort 🤣
Steven and Annie Berger
Nice collection of shots, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Annie 😀
Image Earth Travel
Cool photos, Sarah. It’s amazing to think they travel so far, but then I guess they’re only small motorbike engines (I think).
I’ve ridden in many of these hair-raising three-wheelers (rickshaws, and a host of other names depending on the country) and always come away thanking that I’m still in one piece! 🤣
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Nilla 😀 I’ve ridden in a few too – it’s fun but as you say can be hair-raising at the same time!
Marie
Wonderful – I love the bakery
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Marie 😀 That bakery seems to be especially popular!
wetanddustyroads
I can only imagine how much fun you had capturing these Three Wheelers with your camera. The one with the bread almost looks like the window of a bakery!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, i did have fun and I knew at the time that I would do a blog post about them!
Jane Lurie
Such a fun series, Sarah. All tricked out and ready to ride. I have fun memories of riding tuk tuks in Thailand. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Jane 😊 We didn’t ride in any in Sri Lanka but have enjoyed doing so in the Philippines and Cambodia
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
They are all very cute, even the one that thinks it isn’t! A mobile bakery is a good idea.
Sarah Wilkie
Haha yes, I reckon so Anabel 😄
Wandering Dawgs
Sarah, so much fun and creativity in these three-wheelers!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, yes, they are very clever and good fun 😁
Tish Farrell
Tuck in at the tuk-tuk – priceless ingenuity and a great shot, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Tish 😀 Can you see all the images or only the bakery?
Tish Farrell
Yes, I can see them. Just captivated by the bakery 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
OK great 😀
Graham Stephen
🥐🥖🫓🍞🛺🛺🛺
—·∞·⌖·⊙·✛·∞·—
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Graham – great emojis!
Graham Stephen
thanks! 💯👌👍🌟✨💫
Teresa
I love this. It is known in different names but still gets the job done.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Teresa 😀 Yes, they are very practical!
Ju-Lyn
I love it! So attractively loaded with goodies! Did you try anything?
Sarah Wilkie
From the bakery tuk-tuk? No, we just enjoyed photographing it – it was something a bit different from all these other ones, though they were great fun too 😀
Ju-Lyn
I don’t know about you, but often when I am faced with too many choices, I get overwhelmed and cannot make a purchases. Photographing the sight often will have to do!
Sarah Wilkie
That can happen, but on this occasion we’d just had a good breakfast at our hotel so weren’t in need of any bread!
the eternal traveller
Did you go for a ride in one? We’ve thought about it and decided it would be a bit too hair-raising.
Sarah Wilkie
Not in Sri Lanka but we have elsewhere, most recently in the Philippines. I enjoy them!
Anne Sandler
What a fun post, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Anne – I had fun spotting them 😀
restlessjo
Definitely a motley collection, Sarah, but I love the bakery xx
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Jo 😀 We enjoyed the bakery too – it reminded us of an English ice cream van, playing its jolly tune!
Sue
Well, I must say they are the most diverse and bonkers Tuk Tuks I have seen!
Sarah Wilkie
Haha yes, diverse and bonkers does pretty much describe them I guess!
Sue
😀
margaret21
These are great! What fun. Some enterprising garage doubtless gets a lot of signwriting to do.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I think it’s good business for some! Thanks Margaret 🙂
Monkey's Tale
They really do have fun with them. We met a couple who rented one for a month and travelled around most of Sri Lanka’s south! We thought of doing it for a week, but realized we’re too old for that. 😃 🛺
Sarah Wilkie
Ooh yes, I can’t imagine doing that – even a short ride is pretty uncomfortable!