Air Force celebrate 75 years with 27th annual Tour de Lanka
The 27th annual ‘Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya’, organised by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), will ride off from February 27 to March 1 from Negombo. The three-day men’s race, held in line with the 75th SLAF anniversary, will commence in Negombo on February 27, with riders flagging off from the coastal town and passing through Kochchikade, Madampe, Chilaw and Madurankuliya before reaching the Puttalam Beach Park. The opening stage will cover a distance of approximately 125 kilometres.
On February 28, stage two will begin from Puttalam Beach Park and proceed through Karuwalagaswewa, Thalawa and Kekirawa before concluding in Dambulla, the designated resting point for the day. Cyclists are expected to cover around 132 kilometres during the second leg.
The final stage on March 1 will start from Dambulla, moving through Moragolla, Kurunegala, Mirigama, Miriswatta, Delgoda and Koswatta before culminating opposite the SLAF Headquarters in Colombo. The last stretch will span nearly 160 kilometres, bringing the total distance of the race to over 400 kilometres.
The women’s race, scheduled for March 1, will follow a separate route, beginning from Meerigama and passing through Divulapitiya, Gampaha, Rathupaswala, Delgoda, Kaduwela and Koswatta before finishing at the SLAF Headquarters. Teams will comprise between six and ten riders.
Addressing the media at a press conference held at the SLAF Headquarters on Wednesday, Chair of the ‘Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya’ Committee and Director General Aeronautical Engineering Air Vice Marshal Indika Wickramasinghe said over 150 cyclists have already confirmed participation, with more than 50 additional riders expected to join. He also noted that international competitors from India, Russia and the United Arab Emirates are set to add further competitive spirit to this year’s edition.
‘Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya’ Committee Secretary Group Captain Chamil Hetiarachchi said a total prize purse of Rs. 5.3 million has been allocated for this year’s race, with Rs. 3 million earmarked for the overall winners and approximately Rs. 2.3 million set aside for each stage as awards and daily performances.
Also present at the media briefing were SLAF Sports Council Secretary Group Captain Eranda Geeganage and D.M. Anura, representing the Department of Sports Development, along with representatives of the event’s platinum, gold and silver sponsors. The event will be telecast live on TV1.