Ride for Ceylon celebrate 10th ride
Ride for Ceylon, the globally recognised endurance cycling initiative, announced details of its landmark 10th anniversary ride, set to take place from March 11 to 14, 2026. The four-day, event, which covers a distance of over 450kms is a charity cycling event that unites riders from around the world to conquer the journey from Colombo to Manipay, Jaffna, raising crucial funds for the Manipay Green Memorial Hospital.
The 2026 Ride will kick off after its 10th annual gala and opening ceremony on March 10 at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, where the official announcement was made at a press conference, sharing the vision for the decade milestone, and the unveiling of the official ride T-shirt, as well as the introduction of the main sponsors. The event was graced by Noel Joseph and Paven Savun, a veteran rider who joined the event as a novice many years ago and has since become a dedicated annual participant. Amanda Ishadi, the celebrated Mrs. Sri Lanka and runner-up to Mrs. World in Las Vegas, who serves as a key ambassador for the event.
Krishan Deegalla (CEO of Behaviol, Sponsor and Rider) with Rohan Arnold (Director, Institute of Medical Sciences)
Ino Sooran, known for his incredible three-month cycling journey from Paris to Jaffna, covering more than 10,000km across 12 countries, spoke in anticipation of the event, “It is a great pleasure to join the team of Ride for Ceylon. I sincerely look forward to riding alongside all the foreign participants coming to Sri Lanka in March 2026”.
All participants cover their own travel and accommodation costs, and commercial sponsorships help subsidise the event’s operating expenses. This structure ensures that all the funds raised by the riders are directed toward good causes. The main endurance challenge requires cyclists to complete the full route, promoting health equity, community upliftment, and reconciliation across the island nation.
Ride for Ceylon has now garnered global exposure, with a health and humanitarian impact, engaging an audience comprising professionals, athletes, diplomats, and diaspora communities, showcasing the scale and profile of the initiative. With registration for the event being now closed, 85 cyclists have secured their slots for the upcoming ride.
Founded in 2017 by the UK-registered charity, Friends of Manipay Hospital (FOMH), Ride for Ceylon began with just six dedicated cyclists and has blossomed into a global sports tourism movement. It attracts participants from nations including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, America, Canada, and Sri Lanka. In 2024 alone, the event proudly hosted 75 international participants, showcasing Sri Lanka’s cultural richness and hospitality. The initiative was co-founded by Dr. Jayantha Arnold, Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology at Ealing Hospital, and Anandan Arnold, Senior Partner at BBK Partnership Chartered Accountants, after they discovered their childhood hospital had closed and was abandoned in 2004.
The core purpose remains unwavering, which is to raise funds for the restoration and operation of the Manipay Green Memorial Hospital and the development of the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), FOMH’s local delivery partner. The hospital operates on a non-profit basis, providing essential services, including free care for neurodivergent children, and plans to establish early cancer detection clinics soon.
Crucially, all funds raised are channelled into a transparent pool, prioritised for core needs, ensuring maximum impact. Infrastructure development funded by FOMH also helps keep operational costs low while maintaining high standards.