Tuk Meters Exist — So Why Does Almost Every Driver Still Haggle?

Most three-wheelers in Sri Lanka have a meter fitted, yet the second you flag one down on the street, the driver quotes a flat price instead of switching it on. App-based tuks (PickMe, Uber) use fixed fares, but plenty of street hails still run on old-school negotiation, and both sides have a case. Drivers argue the meter rate doesn't cover fuel hikes, traffic delays, or the empty return trip, so a negotiated price is just survival. Passengers argue the meter exists precisely so they're not overcharged because they look like a tourist, an outstation visitor, or someone in a hurry at midnight. Is the meter actually fair to drivers at today's fuel prices, or is it outdated and everyone secretly knows it? And as a passenger, do you insist on the meter, use apps only, or just negotiate and move on? Share what a short city trip actually cost you last time, meter or not. මීටරය තියෙනවා, ඒත් කාගේවත් පාරේදී මීටරයෙන් ගාස්තු අරගෙනද ඔයා ගිහින් තියෙන්නේ?