Can I rely on Uber or PickMe in Ella and Sigiriya? Or do I need a private driver?

This is a common mistake travelers make. The apps work differently depending on the region.

Kandy: Apps work well here, both for Tuk-Tuks and Cars.

Ella/Sigiriya/Mirissa: The coverage drops significantly. You might find a Tuk-Tuk on the app, but finding a car (Uber/PickMe) is very difficult.

The "Tuk-Tuk Mafia": In places like Ella and parts of the South Coast, local tuk-tuk drivers sometimes ban/harass app drivers because the app prices are too low. You will often see "No PickMe/Uber" signs.

Strategy: In rural tourist towns (Ella, Sigiriya), use the app to check the approximate fair price, then hail a local tuk-tuk on the street and negotiate to that price (or slightly higher). Do not rely on the app to catch a ride to the airport from Ella, book a proper taxi in advance!