For the first time amidst the recent ISIS attacks that shock Sri Lanka and all communities of the island nation, Sri Lanka’s one of leading transportation services app owning company PickMe Chairman who also served as a director on the board of country’s largest conglomerate John Keells Holdings before - Ajit Gunewardene in a public statement confirmed that there is a false allegation circulating on social media and other communication channels of a donation made by PickMe to a third party religious organization, and that the company has not given any such donation.

“I would like to vehemently deny that such an event ever took place and would categorically state that PickMe has not given any donation to such a party. This is a fabricated story with sinister motives to take advantage and exploit the current tragedy and serve some unknown personal agendas” Gunewardene stated in his public statement also mentioning the proof of the photo is digitally edited.

“It goes without saying that PickMe had absolutely no involvement with this since the company was not even founded in 2014!” he stated in his statement also noting that PickMe Board of Directors represents the shareholders and consists of Ajit Gunewardene as Chairman, Conrad Dias (representing LOLC PLC.), Dinesh Rodrigo (representing Interblocks Ltd.), Ruchi Gunewardene (Managing Director - Brand Finance Lanka) and Jiffry Zulfer who is the CEO of the company, managing its day to day operations.

In Mid-Last year May 2018 IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced its foray into venture capital in Sri Lanka with a US $2.5 million equity investment in PickMe, , and that time the investment was said to be for helping the company expand across the island and increase access to affordable, safe, and efficient transportation. PickMe, launched operations in 2015, was founded by serial entrepreneur Jiffry Zulfer and helps customers call anything from an auto rikshaw to a luxury car using its smartphone app. Later several investors put investments as the seed capital for the brand PickMe under the company name Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. 

Following is the Full Statement

A statement from the Chairman of PickMe Sri Lanka - Ajit Gunewardene

Dear All,

In the aftermath of the tragic events on Easter Sunday, Sri Lanka as a Nation has been shaken to its core. I have no fitting words to express my grief and concern towards all those impacted by this senseless violence.

Our deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families and we hope that those who suffered injuries will make a full recovery very soon.

It has come to my attention that there is a false allegation circulating on social media and other communication channels of a donation made by PickMe to a third party religious organization.

I would like to vehemently deny that such an event ever took place and would categorically state that PickMe has not given any donation to such a party. This is a fabricated story with sinister motives to take advantage and exploit the current tragedy and serve some unknown personal agendas.

As proof of this I give the following:

The original photograph of the digitally edited version used in this story, was in fact taken on the 4th of September 2014 in the United Kingdom, when the Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham made a donation to the organization ‘Islamic Relief’. The official link to this can be found here: https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/islamic-relief-receive-h…/

It goes without saying that PickMe had absolutely no involvement with this since the company was not even founded in 2014!

But it saddens us all that certain parties will resort to such despicable and cheap tactics to tarnish the image of a successful Sri Lankan startup which we are all proud of.

PickMe is a homegrown Sri Lankan startup, founded in June 2015. The company now has a diverse group of investors which include established Sri Lankan companies and renowned Sri Lankan business-personnel.

Our Board of Directors represents our shareholders and consists of Ajit Gunewardene as Chairman, Conrad Dias (representing LOLC PLC.), Dinesh Rodrigo (representing Interblocks Ltd.), Ruchi Gunewardene (Managing Director - Brand Finance Lanka)

and Jiffry Zulfer who is the CEO of the company, managing its day to day operations.

Over the past 3 years we have revolutionized transport and mobility for all Sri Lankans while creating income opportunities for thousands of our people. We will continue to provide a convenient transportation solution to anybody using our service. Through our latest ventures - PickMe Logistics and PickMe Food; we will work towards revolutionizing the Logistics industry and Food industry of Sri Lanka as well.

We are an organization that is continuously looking to the future, therefore the PickMe team will provide an uninterrupted service for our patrons, who depend on our platform for their day to day needs, as well as our partners who depend on us for their income.

I would further like to extend my gratitude to the driver partners and the PickMe team who assisted our patrons during the past week. All parties worked tirelessly to ensure reliable and secure passage for those traveling home as well as for those who needed airport transfers during curfew.

Amidst the darkness of this troubled period, we are proud to witness the amazing resilience and solidarity of the Sri Lankan people and the potential for our Nation to rise up stronger from the ashes.

I am sure that all of us will do our part in rebuilding Sri Lanka and keeping our beautiful country free from violence, hate and negativity.

Thank you!

Ajit Gunewardene, Chairman - PickMe.