A program to convert petrol-powered three-wheelers to electric power commenced on May 11. Two-hundred three-wheelers were selected for the pilot project under a financial grant of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena and UNDP Resident Representative for Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota travelled in a three-wheeler converted to use electric power during the event. Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said that by converting to electric power, the cost per kilometre for a three-wheeler driver will be reduced to Rs. 3 and the vehicle will have a range of 100 km when fully charged. He said that the Government will also build solar charging stations in urban areas under this project.