Air Force Cycle Race 2011

“Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya”(Air Force Cycle Race) will be conducted for the 12th consecutive year, coinciding with the 60th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force. This cycle race is exclusively sponsored by Abans Ltd. The objective of the race is to offer an opportunity to the cycling fraternity to take part in a competitive event and promote the sport in Sri Lanka. This race is ranked at National level and conducted under the auspices of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka Over one hundred Sri Lankan ranking/other riders registered with the CFSL are expected to compete in this renowned race which is the inaugural event of the Sri Lanka Air Force 60th  Anniversary celebrations.
The race will commence on January 19 2011 from Vavuniya via Anuradhapura to finish at Kaduruwela (135 Km) On the following day the race will start from Minneriya and finish at Kandy via Dambulla, Matale (126 Km) On the third day the race will start from Kandy on A1 road to finish at Colombo in front the SLAF Headquarters Colombo (124 Km). On the last day the race will start from Colombo opposite Air Force Headquarters and is scheduled to reach Koggala (130 Km) as the final destination on Jan 22 2011.
 In keeping with the tradition of ‘Guwan Hamuda Papedi Sawariya for Year 2011 race we have decided to giveaway handsome cash rewards for a total of Rs 1 (One) Million, from 1st  to 15th  place in addition to stage, team and other event awards. This race is an encouragement to the riders, especially the untapped talent in the North ant the East, to develop their skills to a competitive edge. In order to cater for the talent in the North and the East, a special standard cycle race has been included with intention of encouraging them to compete in the main race next year.
 To add colour to the event a mega musical event will be held on January 19. 2011 at the conclusion of the first day proceedings at Hingurakgoda. The race will be telecasted live via Eye channel and broadcasted through Hiru FM”.

 The awards ceremony will be held at SLAF Koggala at 1800 hrs on 22nd  Jan 2011 to the winners. Commander of the Air Force and acting Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetileke along with sponsors and other distinguished guests will grace the awards ceremony.

Anuradapura

205 km from Colombo is Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital founded about the 4th century
BC. According to the Mahavansa, the Sinhala Buddhist chronicle, the city was a model of planning.
Precincts were set aside for huntsmen and scavengers and even heretics and foreigners. There were
hostels and hospitals, separate cemeteries for high and low castes. A water supply was assured by
the construction of reservoirs.
View of Giant Stupas or Dagobas at Anuradhapura Anuradhapura was to continue for six hundred
years as the national capital. But internecine struggles for the royal succession grew, and it became
more and more vulnerable to the pressures of South Indian political expansion. The city was finally
abandoned and the capital withdrawn to more secluded areas.
But the monuments of Anuradhapura's heyday survive, surrounded by the solemn umbrage of trees,
scions of an ancient parklan


The Ruvanweli Seya Dagoba    Considered the greatest dagoba of Anuradhapura. With its 55 meters (180 feet) in height and
snowy white colour, it can be quite a hurt to the eyes in the direct sunlight. Explore the terrace
around it. You will also be impressed by the magnificent Elephant Wall which carries the terrace
and the dagoba.




The Samadhi Buddha    Don't miss the Samadhi Buddha ! It's one of the best executed Buddha statues in the country,
dating back to the 4th Century. Interesting detail is that when looked at from the left, the Buddha
appears to be smiling, but not from the right





The Kuttam Pokuna    Translated : the 'Twin Ponds'. The most beautiful ancient pools of Anuradhapura, and possibly of
the country.