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Sri Lankan cyclist Sugath Pathirana returned to the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, on the morning of December 27 after completing a 7,000-kilometer journey over 75 days from Dondra Head in Matara to Kashmir in the North India.
A resident of Pallegama, Deniyaya, Pathirana began his journey from the southern tip of Sri Lanka, Dondra Head, travelling to the northernmost point, Point Pedro. From there, he crossed to Nagapattinam in India by boat via the Kankesanthurai harbour, proceeding to Dhanushkodi and then to Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India.
He continued cycling northward to reach Kashmir. For this extraordinary journey, Lumala, a Sri Lankan bicycle manufacturer, donated a customised bicycle with additional features tailored to his needs.
Pathirana arrived at Katunayake Airport at 7 am on December 27 aboard Air India flight AI-271 from Chennai, accompanied by his bicycle. His sister, two children, and officials from Lumala, including its general manager, welcomed him at the airport.
Speaking at the airport, Pathirana revealed his ambitious plans to embark on another cycling expedition from Cape Town in South Africa to Magadan in Russia, spanning the world’s longest route, covering 22,387 kilometres across 17 countries. He emphasized that his endeavours aim to promote global cycling culture and bolster Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
T.K.G.Kapila
