Uber has launched Uber Black in Sri Lanka, bringing its premium ride tier to the country for the first time, the company announced.
The service pairs premium vehicles with highly rated drivers and is pitched by Uber as the “business class of back seats,” the Daily Mirror reported. The company said it is aimed at airport journeys, business meetings, special occasions and riders who simply want more comfort.
Uber Black will run a fleet of premium compact SUVs and SUVs with what the company described as a curated supply of top-rated drivers. Riders can set preferences before a trip begins, including preferred in-car temperature, help with luggage, or a quiet ride without conversation.
The launch widens Uber’s range in a market it has operated in for more than a decade. The company now spans low-cost two- and three-wheeler rides on Uber Moto and Uber Tuk, standard cars for daily travel, and the new premium tier — all booked through the same app.
Kaushalya Gunaratne, Country Manager for Mobility at Uber Sri Lanka, said the company’s focus had long been on making reliable transport available across more price points, and that its “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,” Gunaratne said.
Uber said the launch follows growing demand for premium products and services among Sri Lankan consumers. The company did not disclose fare levels, fleet size or the cities in which the service will operate at launch.
