A World Heritage site in Sri Lanka is to have environmentally friendly hydrogen three-wheelers plying its preserved streets as a UN agency launches a pilot project to test green transportation in Sri Lanka, a statement said here on Tuesday.

Three-wheelers are banned in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Galle Fort, built in 1588 by the Portuguese who first colonized Sri Lanka known as Ceylon then, due to their emissions.

The small boxy vehicles that are often referred to as "tuk tuks " are immensely popular in Sri Lanka but in large numbers are an environmental hazard.

But with the use of hydrogen powered zero emission wheelers, there will be no hazard whatsoever assures United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) officials.

In fact, the test site is chosen intentionally to demonstrate the high quality, non-polluting nature of hydrogen fuel, a press release by the Industry and Commerce Ministry said. "UNIDO is planning the pilot project in Galle where hydrogen powered three wheelers supported by a mini hydrogen filling station will show us as to how to implement this new technology in the country" UNIDO Country Director Nawaz Rajabdeen was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Sri Lanka pilot project will use 15 hydrogen powered zero emission three wheelers in Galle Fort and monitor them carefully for pollutant free runs.