Sri Lanka Air Force’s flagship cycling event from March 4

Sri Lanka Air Force conducted Guwanhamuda Papedi Sawariya, the premier cycling event of the year, will be staged from March 4 to 6 for the 23rd occasion.

The main objective of the Sri Lanka Cycling Federation sanctioned event is to promote the sport of cycling in Sri Lanka and to provide competition opportunities to country’s top athletes. The event will be held under strict health guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid 19.

The annual competition which coincides with the 71st anniversary of Sri Lanka Air Force is expected to attract over 180 top cyclists in the country. The organizers also expect foreign competitors.

The three-day race will commence opposite the Air Force headquarters in Colombo and will cover a total distance of over 400 kilometres.

On day one the race will commence from Colombo and will conclude at Puttalam. On day two the race will start from Puttalam and route to Dambulla via Anuradhapura. The final day will see the race starting from Anuradhapura and route through Narammala and Giriulla before culminating at Katunayake.

The women’s race will be a one day affair with the race starting at Puttalam and covering a distance of 96 kilo metres before concluding at Katunayake. The women’s race will be held on March 6.

Some 50 competitors are expected to vie for honours in the women’s race.

The awards presentation will be held on March 6 under the patronage of Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana at Eagle’s Lagoon View Hotel.

According to Sri Lanka Air Force, Abans will be the principal sponsor while Mobitel, Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Insurance, Maliban and Link Natural are the other sponsors.

Last year the men’s race was won by Sonal de Silva of the Sri Lanka Port Authority, while Chamod de Silva (SLPA) and Prabash Madushanka (SL Navy) were placed second and third respectively. Udeshini Niranjani (SL Army) won the title of the women’s race.